As many of you know by now, the theme of this year is Kingdom Parenting.
Kingdom Parenting is not reserved for those who are parents but rather Kingdom Parenting is for those that want to genuinely love and care for others.
One of the ways I believe Kingdom Parents can love and care for others is by sharing their experiences both good and bad.
The scripture in Joel 1:2-3 (NLT) tells us:
“2 Hear this, you leaders of the people. Listen, all who live in the land. In all your history, has anything like this happened before? 3 Tell your children about it in the years to come, and let your children tell their children. Pass the story down from generation to generation.”
Verse 2 helps us determine what stories to pass down to our children and the people we parent.
“2 Hear this, you leaders of the people. Listen, all who live in the land. In all your history (In other words – In all your life), has anything like this happened before?”
Think about the things that have shaped you and molded you into being who God has created you to be.
Think about the people who have come into your life, mentored you, guided you and helped you on your faith journey.
Think about all those times when you were faced with a trial and a tribulation, and a difficult situation, where God spoke to you or when you received a miracle when it looked impossible.
These are the stories that have the potential to help the people you are parenting and the children in your care.
As Christians have learned and drawn from the stories and experiences of the people in the Bible.
I wonder how much we could learn from reading or hearing the stories and History of others in this Church?
I believe we have a wealth of faith and knowledge, just waiting to be passed down.
It’s no secret that God wants us to remember Him and all He has done for us. The Bible uses the word Remember 352 times, not including its variations.
Verse 3 tells us how our stories of God’s goodness in our lives are to be Remembered.
“Tell your children about it in the years to come, and let your children tell their children. Pass the story down from generation to generation.”
There’s a scripture in Psalms 71:18 (NLT) that says:
“Now that I am old and gray, do not abandon me, O God. Let me proclaim your power to this new generation, your mighty miracles to all who come after me.”
As Christians we belong to the family lineage of God, being sons and daughters to the Father. So when we share about the power of God in our lives and the mighty miracles that we’ve experienced to our brothers and sisters in Christ, we are passing on God’s legacy for His children.
For those of you who don’t like writing or reading, you can tell your story verbally. And for those of you who don’t like talking, you can write it out for someone to read.
The point is not about how you share but the fact that you do share. You never know how your story can impact the lives of those that hear them.
I am reminded of the Maya Angelou quote Brett Ullman shared from the Family Weekend. That goes “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.”
My prayer for myself and this church is that we would continue to do our best until we know better and when we know better, we would make the adjustments and be better.