Our words are not enough. We can speak the truth all day, but if we do not walk in truth, it is nothing. The same goes for love. We can say, “Jesus loves you,” all day, but if we do not show the love that He shown us, it is vain (1 John 3:18). Parents of all walks of life, our children need to see our walk in Christ. I know Christ said, “Go into the secret place…when we pray.” It is a humble walk, that God honors. Nonetheless, the 12 disciples seen Jesus pray in secret (Mark 1:35), go to the mountain, and sneak off from the crowd to spend alone time with God the Father (Matthew 14:13). They also walked with Jesus and saw His fruit, everyday.

So what am I saying? When our children see our walk and discipline with God, it will provoke something in their hearts and minds or inspire them to do it as well. Look at the disciples. They knew how to spread the gospel, do miracles, and cast out devils. The one thing they didn’t know how to do and they seen Jesus do frequently, was praying in the secret place. So they asked Jesus to teach them how to pray. They were so impacted by His faithful prayer life, that they had a holy reverence, curiosity, and jealousy to know how to do the same. It marked all of their lives. And they all became men of prayer and matured in Spirit and truth. (Excluding Judas, who betrayed Jesus).

“Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.”- Luke‬ ‭11‬:‭1‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Note: The disciples didn’t go with Him to pray all the time. Only on very few occasions, Jesus invited some (Usually was Peter, James, and John) to pray with Him. However, they all knew that He went to pray and spend time with God. Therefore our children do not necessarily have to be right there to see your devotion to God. They will see and know your track record. They will see how you go in (the state that you are in) and how you go out (hopefully, the renewed person you become).

Because I am a stay-at-home mom; with an infant, toddler, a little boy, and two little girls, my days are busy and my nights are far spent. God told me when my two little girls were younger, to invite Him in everything that I do. If I am doing laundry, cleaning the dishes, homeschooling, playing outside with the kids, etc. Become mindful of Him and aware of the presence of God. This is a major part in how I stay in peace and rest in motherhood. The days that I do not do it, l am repenting to Him and the children frequently. I thank God for the Holy Spirit. My Abba, my Father, shows me much love and grace in everyday mom-life. And sometimes it is in the form of conviction and correction. It never feels good but it bears fruit in my life.

“Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”- Hebrews‬ ‭12‬:‭11‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

I said all of that to say, my children see my walk with God. Because of my family dynamic, my walk is naked to them. Sometimes I sacrifice to spend alone time with God after the children go to bed, but oftentimes, I fall asleep on the Lord. (There are also times when I grieve the Holy Spirit by scrolling on social media for hours or binge watching movies, rather than spending time with Him.) However, I am so glad, we serve a Loving Good Father. He doesn’t yell at us when we fall asleep in prayer. He holds our head and comforts us (Song of Solomon 2:6). He just wants a relationship with His children (Revelation 3:20). He is not a hard taskmaster. He understands the seasons that we are in. He wants us to show up and draw closer to Him (James 4:8), always. (I am not saying, God doesn’t care about disciplined devoted time with Him alone. That is like a spouse saying, “I don’t want alone, intimate time with you.” God wants intimate time with you, as a spouse does.) But just like when your little children come interrupting your mommy and daddy time, God understands when you can’t keep your eyes open in prayer; after just having a baby or if you are sick in the hospital. Again, God understands seasons. Read Ecclesiastes 3.

Nonetheless, my children are always around when I pray, read the Word, worship, etc. I try to not look at it as a burden anymore, but a blessing. They are seeing a real, behind the scenes, Kingdom life. Theres no sugar coating the narrow walk.

Parents Listen Up

For this reason, parents in this generation and the next, we only have one life to train our children in the ways of God (Proverbs 22:6). Only one life to share the truth with them and show them what it looks like to walk it out in grace. God entrusted you with His handiwork (Ephesians 2:10) and ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20). Each child, He chose for you and you for them. He is the Sovereign God that knows all and sees all (Job 34:21). He is the author and finisher of our faith and their faith (Hebrews 12:2). So let us, do His will, walk rightly before Him, and be the holy example for our Kingdom Kidz.

If that means you have to pray while the babies are climbing all over you, do it. Or put praise and worship music on all day to help keep you in the Spirit, do it. If that means reading the Bible out loud while your children are playing with playdoh, do it. Make sacrifices to spend time with Jesus, for He is worthy of it. And when YOU STEWARD YOUR RELATIONSHIP with God, no matter the situation or circumstance, God will draw them too.

Personally

I was a troubled teen. What impacted me the most was not the knowledge of hell and laws, but my mother crying out in the middle of the night to God. Also, her praying over us and seeking God’s face despite the trials she was in. She was not perfect, but my mother knew how to touch the hem of His garment. Today, I know and value the importance of prayer and going to God always. By Gods grace, 1 try to frequently steward that and buy oil in the secret place. It is only possible by walking with the Spirit of God and depending solely on Him. (See Galatians 5:16-26)…

To My Mommy,

Ma, I didn’t know half of the reasons why you were praying and crying out to God. But it has marked my life forever. Thank you for showing me what it looks like to seek God in prayer; in the midst of storms and in general. Thank you for interrupting my sleep and praying in the Spirit over me at night. Thank you for praying the armor of God over me and anointing my forehead with oil. Thank you for worshipping loudly on Saturdays, early in the morning, while cleaning the house. Even though I thought it was annoying at the time. ALL of it, impacted my life for the better. I love you.