Family Life

Everybody is sick with a cold at the moment. Debbie has managed to shrug off most of the effects, Daniel was the first to get it and is mostly over it, and Micah (7mo) and Joel (2) have been hit the hardest. Plus Micah is cutting his second tooth, so he’s the unhappiest of all.

Debbie stayed home with the two youngest while I went to church with Daniel. Daniel was concerned at first that he wouldn’t be allowed to go, but cheered up when we started putting his shoes on to leave. Joel was distraught that he would be left behind. Micah had no opinion. Once there, Daniel participated in the singing, enjoyed his Sunday School class, socialized with the congregation, and was generally calm and well-behaved.

It was interesting to observe. I often get the feeling that the boys have to be dragged into church activities kicking and screaming (I mean that figuratively!) so it was a pleasant change to see Daniel involved of his own initiative.

I often wonder how much is faith institutionalized for kids who grow up in a church-going family. Do they grow up inheriting their parent’s faith, or do they acquire a faith of their own? My worst vision of the future is of my children as perfect little Christians on the outside, saying and doing all the right things, but with none of God’s Spirit on the inside. It can be a problem. Kids can learn to walk the walk and talk the talk, and fool everybody, including their parents. Especially when they’ve grown up with the church culture and lingo all their lives.

So how do I lead them to true faith? Am I brave enough to not insist on outward forms of spirituality, pursued for the sake of family appearances? Am I wise enough and patient enough to teach them the difference between outward behaviour and the righteousness that comes of a new creation? I don’t know direct answers to any of those questions. All I can do is show them Christ, talk to them about Jesus, bring Biblical principles into everyday events. And pray that in time they will give their lives over to God.

This entry was posted on Sunday, November 25th, 2007 at 9:35 pm. You can subscribe via RSS 2.0 feed to this post's comments. Both comments and pings are currently closed.