Doing What We Want Our Children to Do

By: Rebekah Hargraves

Photo Courtesy Of: Liana Mikah

"A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher." ~Luke 6:40

This verse is equal parts terrifying and encouraging, when viewed in light of our mothering. Terrifying if we are being lazy and complacent, failing to truly train our children up in the way that they should go, and encouraging if we are seeking to do our best to walk by the Spirit in our mothering (not perfectly, but with intention and the gospel ever before our eyes).

The truth I’m learning right now is this: whatever it is that I want my children to prioritize when they are adults is what I need to be prioritizing in our home and family life right now. Whatever I want them to grow up believing is normal for the Christian life is what I need to be emulating for them right now.

Do I want my children to grow up thinking that part of living a victorious Christian life is cultivating and loving a daily practice of being in the Word? Then they need to see me regularly in the Word now.

Do I want my children to grow up to be readers, believing it’s important even as busy adults, to still make time to read and grow and learn? Then that is what they need to see me doing now (rather than claiming I’m too busy to do so!).

Do I want my children to grow up to never be slaves to their phones, but to instead love, soak in, and enjoy the real life going on all around them? Then that is how I need to be living myself.

Do I want my children to grow up to love everyone - even the seemingly unlovable, the enemy, the marginalized, the one who sins differently than I do, and the one with different political views than my own? Then that is how I have to be living in front of them now.

Do I want my children to grow up believing it is a normal part of the Christian life to extend hospitality on a regular basis? Then that had better be a part of my monthly calendar now.

Do I want my children to grow up believing Christ has called us to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and help the destitute? Then that’s what they should see me doing now.

The reality is that whatever my children see me doing, hear me saying, and watch me prioritizing is what they will naturally take on in their own lives, as well. May it be worth emulating!