This I Believe: Different Kids, Different Stuff

This morning I shared a "This I Believe" statement on motherhood.
It was a very interesting experience... coming up with "one", writing, rewriting, wondering if it was true of me and hoping it wasn't too late for it to continue to be more and more true.

In rehearsal this morning I thought my reading was very dry so I asked if we could have live music underscore and Chris and Marshall played. Something very tender about having your kid play, while you talk about parenting him and his sisters, who at the eleventh hour service were also in the room.

Here's the script:

As a mother I believe, "Different kids, different stuff" Different opportunites, different expectations, different communication styles even, different… curfews.

Ephesians 2:10 “For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

I believe this is true not just of adults, but of our children. We are each God’s workmanship, literally a thing of God’s making, and that's why I say, “Different kids, different stuff”

We have three very different kids. I can only explain it as God's intent and design that the same set of genes produced three remarkably different kids.
In our culture, we’re programmed to channel our children to pursue sports, music, education, and financial success. But I believe, as a follower of Christ, my greatest encouragement to my kids should come when they pursue God and the use of their spiritual gifts to do the good works which God has prepared for them to do, in our home that’s mercy, administration, teaching, communication and service.

This has challenged me.
I’m sure this never happens to you, but in our home when a child succeeds I can feel pretty proud as a parent, as if I have anything really to do with it. But, what we may really be experiencing in their achievements is God’s touch on them when they serve Him as they are designed.

His design intended for His purpose, for which He should receive praise.

I believe that one of my greatest responsibilities as a parent, a mother, is making sure the discovery of God’s design for them is high on our family radar. Parenting them to explore opportunities which create natural and unique pathways toward what God may have in mind for them, rather than toward our own glory or even theirs.

Happy Mother’s Day