Do you love me?
All week long the Lord has been whispering a phrase to my heart, "Do you love me?... Then feed my lambs." Though there have been times in my life when I would have thought that Jesus was referring to the kids in our youth ministry, or some other public form of ministry, I know deep in my heart immediately who Jesus is referring to with the phrase, "lambs". I personally know, He is referring to my two children.
I realize that though I can say with my mouth that I love the Lord, and truly mean it, He feels my love for him when I obey his commands and in this case, it's the command to teach my children. Taking the time, to teach them the Word of God and about God. I know it's not a matter of my salvation, but, I don't ever want the Lord to question my love for him.
I have to admit, I get so busy running here and there, making sure my kids are having all the opportunities they can, with piano lessons, baseball, ballet, school. You name it and our society seems to encourage it. The more educated, well rounded, artistic and athletic your children are, the better the job it seems that you're doing as a parent. But where is the encouragement to take the time out of our busy lives to teach our children God's Word? Simply taking the time to sit, read and discuss a bible story. I almost feel guilty at times, knowing all the other things my children, or I could be getting accomplished. And it seems lately one day of missing our time reading the word, turns into two and then three, and before I know it, another day is over and we have not spent time in the word.
Maybe it's just me, but it seems that I somewhat disregard the very clear commandment to teach my children the Word of God. It is so easy as parents to rely on the Youth pastor, the Christian school, the Children's pastor, Missionettes teacher, or Sunday School teacher to teach our children about God and His Word. But, we must remember, (I must remember) that God has given me as the parent, the commandment to teach them, first and foremost. Besides the fact that studies show the number one influence in a child's life is their parents, before their friends or their teachers. How much more of an impact can we as parents have?
For me, it boils down to the fact that, I don't want to grieve the Lord, I LOVE him, and just like I want to show my spouse through his "love language" how much I love him, I realize that we are made in the image of God and He must have love languages too. I don't want another day to go by, and though my heart is bursting with love for my heavely father, take a chance on him not feeling it, because I'm not being obedient and communicating it to him.
So, I just encourage you today to ask yourself who are your "lambs". Who has God place in your life and asked you to teach? Make a committment with me today to teach them out of love for the Father, realizing that our obedience to Him is a tangible way that we can show him our love.
"Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." -Deut. 11:18-19 (Deut. 4:9; Prov. 1:8; Prov. 6:20; Jeremiah 1:20; Psalm 78:1-7)
"After breakfast Jesus said to Simon Peter, 'Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?
'Yes, Lord,' Peter replied, "you know I love you'
'Then feed my lambs,' Jesus told him.
Jesus repeated the question: 'Simon son of John, do you love me?'
"Yes, Lord, 'Peter said, you know I love you."
"Then take care of my sheep,' Jesus said.
Once more he asked him, 'Simon son of John, do you love me?'
Peter was grieved that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said,'Lord, you know everything. You know I love you.'
Jesus said, 'Then feed my sheep.'
(and)...Follow me"
I realize that though I can say with my mouth that I love the Lord, and truly mean it, He feels my love for him when I obey his commands and in this case, it's the command to teach my children. Taking the time, to teach them the Word of God and about God. I know it's not a matter of my salvation, but, I don't ever want the Lord to question my love for him.
I have to admit, I get so busy running here and there, making sure my kids are having all the opportunities they can, with piano lessons, baseball, ballet, school. You name it and our society seems to encourage it. The more educated, well rounded, artistic and athletic your children are, the better the job it seems that you're doing as a parent. But where is the encouragement to take the time out of our busy lives to teach our children God's Word? Simply taking the time to sit, read and discuss a bible story. I almost feel guilty at times, knowing all the other things my children, or I could be getting accomplished. And it seems lately one day of missing our time reading the word, turns into two and then three, and before I know it, another day is over and we have not spent time in the word.
Maybe it's just me, but it seems that I somewhat disregard the very clear commandment to teach my children the Word of God. It is so easy as parents to rely on the Youth pastor, the Christian school, the Children's pastor, Missionettes teacher, or Sunday School teacher to teach our children about God and His Word. But, we must remember, (I must remember) that God has given me as the parent, the commandment to teach them, first and foremost. Besides the fact that studies show the number one influence in a child's life is their parents, before their friends or their teachers. How much more of an impact can we as parents have?
For me, it boils down to the fact that, I don't want to grieve the Lord, I LOVE him, and just like I want to show my spouse through his "love language" how much I love him, I realize that we are made in the image of God and He must have love languages too. I don't want another day to go by, and though my heart is bursting with love for my heavely father, take a chance on him not feeling it, because I'm not being obedient and communicating it to him.
So, I just encourage you today to ask yourself who are your "lambs". Who has God place in your life and asked you to teach? Make a committment with me today to teach them out of love for the Father, realizing that our obedience to Him is a tangible way that we can show him our love.
"Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." -Deut. 11:18-19 (Deut. 4:9; Prov. 1:8; Prov. 6:20; Jeremiah 1:20; Psalm 78:1-7)
"After breakfast Jesus said to Simon Peter, 'Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?
'Yes, Lord,' Peter replied, "you know I love you'
'Then feed my lambs,' Jesus told him.
Jesus repeated the question: 'Simon son of John, do you love me?'
"Yes, Lord, 'Peter said, you know I love you."
"Then take care of my sheep,' Jesus said.
Once more he asked him, 'Simon son of John, do you love me?'
Peter was grieved that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said,'Lord, you know everything. You know I love you.'
Jesus said, 'Then feed my sheep.'
(and)...Follow me"
((convicted))
ReplyDeleteTammy, you're such a beautiful and HONEST example. I'm so glad I've got you! LOVE YOU
This particular passage was my dads life calling. He always told us (his 5 kids) that his command from the Lord was to take care of us. He said his life would be a failure if he took hundreds of people to heaven with him and one of us kids was left behind. You will never go wrong teaching micah and amelia the Word of God before all the other opportunities available to them. It's the one thing I most appreciate from my parents!
ReplyDeleteSarah, your dad must have been an amazing guy...What a heritage he left you...I hope my children can talk as highly of me one day.
ReplyDeleteCat, as always, thank you for the encouragement, and for being such a REAL friend!
I LOVE you ladies!