If you've been around me for any period of time, then you know that one of my favorite things to talk about are my “grandbabies”. They are such a joy to me, and my relationship with each of them is as unique as they are. As with any child, the older they get the more defined their personalities become. You quickly start to find out who is introverted, who is extroverted; who is sensitive and who is tough as nails.
My children do their best to teach my grandchildren all of the basics to equip them for life. They are learning to add, subtract, spell, read, have good manners and practice good hygiene. They are also being taught one of the most important lessons in their young life—that God is real and that they have the ability to communicate and express themselves to Him. I want to share with you how we are purposely doing that and give you a glimpse of what a typical day of the week looks like at GeGe’s house. I hope it brings a little laughter to you and more importantly inspires you to do the same with your family.
On any given day of the week, my living room is transformed into a sanctuary. My grandson Josiah is the Pastor, my granddaughter Sydney is the Praise and Worship Leader and my grandson Ryan is some sort of Deacon/Administrator hybrid. Despite them all being three years old or younger, their ministry team facilitates full-blown church services—complete with inspiring worship, Holy Ghost powered preaching and a “laying on of hands” service that is out of this world. They are so accustomed to having church there that when I asked Josiah’s older brother, Jaden, where he was, he pointed to the living room and said, “In the church!” It’s quite comical to see, and my family is in stitches every time the doors of Brady Temple are open for service.
Beyond the initial comic relief of what I've just described, I want you to see the bigger picture of what I believe is missing from a lot of families in today’s society. The bible says in Psalms 127:4 “Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth”. Children in your hands, like arrows, will go where ever they are pointed to go. Our makeshift sanctuary has become a safe place where we are pointing my grandchildren towards God.
My fear for a lot of families is that parents are letting every other influence in the world teach their children, while only infusing God into the equation on Sundays during Children’s Church.
My challenge to you today is to ask God for creative ways to introduce Him into your child’s equation sooner rather than later. Your children need to be able to discuss spiritual matters and hear what you have to say. You will be amazed of how they process things, and you will crack up laughing at some of their views on who God is. And don’t think that just because you do not have children of your own that this doesn't apply to you. I believe that people are watching us from a distance gaining inspiration and direction simply by how we live our lives and deal with our daily challenges There is a niece, nephew or next door neighbor that is looking up to you without you even knowing it.
Just recently Josiah was in the “sanctuary” all by himself singing (to the top of his lungs) “Our God is greater, our God is stronger, God you are higher than any other…” As he sang that over and over, I couldn't help think about where I could be today if I had been singing and releasing words like that into the atmosphere when I was only three years old! It was a pretty powerful moment for me as I just reflected on the importance of preparing them to face the giants of their generation! If I were the devil I’d just give up now, because they are going to be powerful in the Kingdom!
So I challenge you to: Make It Matter today! Be intentional with those who you influence the most. God is not waiting until they are older to use them, but He is using them RIGHT NOW! Josiah was drawing some lines of demarcation and making some things very clear that morning. He was letting every devil in hell know…”I may only be three, but if you mess with me, I’ll turn this living room into sanctuary and have church all by myself!” Develop a plan of action that provides an atmosphere for your children to flourish and grow in the things of God. They are as arrows in your hand so as my husband would say “Shoot that Kid” in the right direction!
