Just Keep Going

If you're anything like me, I didn't know where to begin in teaching my kids about the Lord.  I knew there was so much they needed to know and the time was slipping away from me.  My oldest was 11 and I knew I had only a few short years with him to lay that all-important foundation in God that would carry him through his whole life.  So, I started having all my children attend Sunday School at our church (which I had recently returned to after 12 years away).  It was difficult going, let me tell you-boy, did they resist!  They didn't want to get up in the morning, they dawdled, I yelled at them just to get them out the door on time-I know many of you can relate.(LOL)  Then, once we got in the building, the boys would complain or be too nervous to go in their classes.  My youngest was a toddler and wouldn't keep quiet during the service so I spent most mornings trying to keep her from disturbing others.  Many times I couldn't remember anything about what was brought to the congregation and to be honest,  I wondered why I even bothered going.  What was the point?  It was such a battle, a battle with my kids and with myself.  I'd think to myself, "Boy, what can I possibly get out of this service with the mood I'm in now!"  I certainly didn't feel very "spiritual" after that big ordeal. I have to say, I got tired of trying and had a cycle of starting and stopping for awhile. But, I have to say, there was always someone there to encourage me:  a friend, an usher, a nursery attendant, a Sunday School teacher, my Pastor, etc.-and they always had similarly encouraging words- "keep coming-don't give up".  That's when I had to look at the real purpose-why did I really want to come to church?  What was the goal?  I wanted our family to serve God-together.  If I gave up, where would that leave my children, my husband, my family? Yes, it was hard but anything worth having is worth fighting for, right.  So, I decided to keep going no matter what-and it started to pay off.  With consistent attendance, my kids began to feel comfortable in their classes, started to make friends, got into a routine and you know what?- they started to enjoy going.  Now that we've been going steadily for over a year, my kids are starting to read their Bibles, ask questions, and have even started to stand up for their beliefs.  I know it's just a start and they've still got so much to learn, but the initial battle is over.  Like a minister in my church said recently, the hardest part was the starting and then being consistent, but starting is the most important thing.  I want my kids to know about God and I certainly don't have all the answers for them, like you, I'm learning.  But I know we need to make the time to teach our kids to know God, teach them to pray and read their Bibles.  Let them know that He loves them and that they can have a personal relationship with Him, themselves.  Teach them that God made them special, that they don't need to conform to some image that the world sets for them;  that they have something God can use; that He has a purpose for their lives. They face so many obstacles in this modern day and are bombarded with so many negative ideas about God and christianity, they need to know the truth.  So, if you don't go to any church, I hope you will start.  There's nothing like fellowshipping with other believers in one place with one common goal-to lift up Jesus and hear from Him!  If you have no church to attend, I welcome you to visit mine (see below).  If there are no churches in your area, I encourage you to set time aside with your family and just begin to teach them to pray and read God's word.  Ask God for wisdom on how to start and what to say. Whatever your situation, I encourage you to start and to be consistent-the kids will get used to it with practice.  Teach them at home what you expect of them in church.  Bring a backpack with some quiet activities to keep them occupied during the meeting-like a couple books, a blanket, a stuffed toy, a notepad and pencils, a small snack (for younger ones),etc.  And teach them how to behave in church.  Let the younger ones sit on a mat on the floor in front of you with their quiet toys, or even nap.  The older ones can write in their notebooks, or look up Bible scriptures as they're mentioned by the minister.  Teach them to listen to the word of God, even if they don't understand the entire message, they might hear one little nugget  that they can apply to their own lives-they can write those down so they can recall it later.  Remember what your purpose is-to lay that foundation of God in their lives.  To have them desire God for themselves so that one day they will walk with God on their own.  Remember that they are watching you.  You are more than their parent, you're their example of a christian and they will watch how you live your life.  So, whatever your situation or the age of your children, whatever you're facing in your christian walk, I encourage you to keep going-keep pressing on.  Don't give up!!!  It's worth it!  God knows the desire of your heart and He will reward your faithfulness. God Bless you!
(link to my home church: http://www.fgichurch.org/ )

He Never Let Go

I was raised in a christian family and went to a born-again, mission-minded christian church for all of my childhood.  I took it all to heart, accepted Jesus as my savior and was water baptised when I was 12yrs. old. In my teen years, I faced some difficult choices but through the support of my family, friends and church, my faith grew strong.  Then, somewhere along the way, I began to lose it.  Things weren't going the way I'd planned, life took some turns, so I took things into my own hands.  I took God out of the driver's seat and put myself there instead.  Big mistake.  It wasn't long before I stopped attending church regularly and I didn't return for many years.  During that time, my family almost split up and I began to question who I really was.  Perhaps I was too "straight-laced" after all, perhaps I needed to loosen up a bit and have fun.  There's nothing wrong with having fun but I had learned to compromise and to justify doing things I once thought were wrong. I felt so alone. But, God was still drawing me.  He was that still, small voice in the back of my mind.  Thoughts would come to me about things I had learned as a child in Sunday School; I would remember something my Pastor had taught years ago; I would hear songs that would prick my heart; I would see old friends in the store and go out of my way to avoid them.  I knew I needed to get right with God. Still I waited. Then, I faced a crossroad, a trial that shook me to my core and forced me to really make a decision about my life.  What did I really believe?  What did I really want?  It was time to get serious.  I chose to go back to church and get my life right with God.  I knew that I would find my help there as I always had before, where the word of God that was brought always seemed to minister right to me, whatever my need was.  And it was still there. I was encouraged to really seek God for myself, to really have that personal relationship with Him.  I'm far from perfect, believe me, I mess up a lot. Like I said, I am a "work in progress".  But I know I'm heading in the right direction and I trust God who is once again in the driver's seat.  I encourage you to do the same-really make time to pray daily and read your Bible. If you don't know who God is, he's just a prayer away.  He loves you and wants to give you joy and peace in your life.  I served God for 20+ years and I find that only now do I feel I'm just beginning to get to know Him.  My desire is different.  I went through some things, learned some hard lessons, so I appreciate his great love for me so much more now.  Though I failed Him, still He never failed me.  He never let go of my hand. My desire is not to preach to you but to just share my experience, with the hope that you might gain something from it and be encouraged today.  Thanks for taking the time to read my post today.  God Bless you.