The First Fruits

Day 15

As a mama who yearns to raise her daughter in Christ, I very often (too often, since I do it at all) stress about how I'm going to teach my daughter everything she needs to know: how to pray, to read the Word, to listen to the Holy Spirit, to serve, to honor her purity, to be patient, kind, compassionate, trusting, gentle, joyful, thankful...and the list goes on as long as the Bible is wide. That's quite a charge! However, God has equipped me for this task (Hebrews 13:21). I must trust and RELAX. He has provided me with the tools to teach my daughter and tells me how to do this in Deuteronomy 6:6-7: "These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." Simple, right? If I live my best life in Christ, focusing on my love for Him, following His commands, and doing His work, she will see and hopefully live her one life for God. Okay, so maybe not simple, but with God, certainly attainable!

Yesterday I saw some of the first fruits of my labor in training our daughter. I understand Adeline doesn't know what she's copying here, but she sees me doing this task and is now modeling my behavior. What she'll come to understand is that weekly I spend time learning how to live life God's way, through Bible study. At 16 months, she views this activity as playing with a green thing that makes marks on a book (and all over her skin!), but in time she'll see this as a tool to grow in her relationship with Christ. Totally doing the mental victory dance while I filmed this =). Thank you, God, for this encouraging moment! 

40 Day Challenge--Day 15:

Model something for your child(ren) today that reflects your love for Christ. Teach with your actions for this challenge, not with your words. Proverbs 22:6 says, "Train a child up in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it." What a beautiful and welcoming promise from our Lord! Happy modeling!