Let The Lord Build the House

Sometimes, even as Christian wives and moms, we can make things into idols.

Being a stay at home mom.

Never sending our kids to public school.

Being a stern disciplinarian.

Having our act together. (Or at least, appearing to have our act together.)

Only eating organic.

Cooking completely from scratch.

Having standards.

Not having standards.

We think that if we do all the things mentioned, we will be guaranteed a good product.

We proudly wear each "badge" and thump our chest; proclaiming that all the afore mentioned things will produce great kids- completely overlooking the most important thing.

All our labor is in vain if the Lord isn't involved.

We put things on pedestals above God. We ignore personal relationships and our walk with the Lord and instead put all of our faith into man made methods and popular books.

We revere other moms who seem to have it all together (believe me, none of us do) and we think...."If I model my life after So and So, then I will have my desired outcome." Then when So and So has kids that are well, kids....our faith is shattered.

Moms who have to work can raise good kids.

Moms who stay at home all day can raise good kids.

Moms who work from home can raise good kids.

Moms who have to send their kids to public schools can raise good kids.

Moms who eat McDonalds (gasp) can raise good kids.

Moms who eat all organic and cook from scratch can raise good kids.

Moms who make their kids frozen pizzas can raise good kids.

Moms who send their kids to Christian school can raise good kids; moms who homeschool can raise good kids.

Are they doing THE most important things?

Are they showing their kids their love for the Lord? Are they genuine, are they real in their Christian walk?

Is Jesus real to them?

Do they actually BELIEVE the things they live, or are they just putting on a show? Do they care more about what their fellow church member thinks, or do they desire the Lord's approval over man?

Your kids will see all. Your kids know if you are genuine or not.

I have seen stay at home moms raise rebels; I have seen working moms raise solid, sold out Christians.

There is not a checklist that will magically work every time, for every child.

Children have wills. They have minds. Even though they came from us, they are not us. They have to decide to follow Christ. They have to decide if they are a sold out Christian, or if they will go the way of the world. They have to decide if they will reject everything they have been taught, or embrace it as their own.

And I don't know what the secret is. The magic formula. The fail proof method. The more kids I raise, the more I don't know.

 I have raised almost half of my kids, and thank goodness, so far, they have chosen to walk in the way we have taught them.

But we have done things differently with each child, because each child needs different things. There is no one-size-fits-all approach. We remain firm in the fundamentals, and adjust on the minor things when needed.

The longer I parent, the less I know.

But I do know this- be careful about making labels into idols, and instead focus on these things with your kids-

Love the Lord.

Love others.

Love their dad.

Love them.

And let the Lord build the house.