Yesterday in our elders’ meeting I prayed that the children in our church would be the greatest disciples we parents produce. Well, this morning I took my family to breakfast and we had been talking about ministry and serving others. A few minutes later my daughter said to me, “I love you!!!” It caught me off guard. Now she tells me that all the time, but I could tell in her tone that this was in reference to something specific because it was said with such force and earnestness. I sensed it was coming from something deep so I asked her, “What prompted that?” She said, “I love how much you care for our church and that makes me very happy!” Cue the tears in my eyes and lump in my throat. Breakfast got real quiet for a second and I looked up at my wife and saw that she had tears welling up in her eyes.
In our family, talking of Christ and His church is always happening. Something in the way of ministry is almost always happening. We do rest and we do take breaks but Christ and His church are always on our minds. Today, God showed His grace to me. He showed me the fruits of what my wife and I have tried to do. In that moment when my daughter praised me and expressed her love to me, I didn’t feel good about myself. Instead, I was grateful to God that my daughter believes the gospel and loves her church. I saw a disciple of Christ, not just my daughter. I saw a 16 year old fellow-servant who has been watching us and learning from us and by God’s grace she is doing the same.
She’ll be graduating high school in 11 months and then she’ll be off to college. Lord willing, she will be the greatest disciple I have ever had the privilege of leading. I pray that God uses her talents to spread His great name among the nations.
Parents, your children are watching your genuine love for God and His church. Your efforts are worth it. Don’t relent.
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