Monday, September 3, 2007
Joshua 24:15 As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.
FAMILY LABORS OF LOVE
"Boys," she smiled, "We get to clean the church today!" I can't say they all jumped up at the opportunity to make God's house clean and beautiful for the upcoming Sunday service. Still, there was no complaint, as they dutifully followed their lovely Mother out the door over to the church.
Parents, are you training your children to serve the Lord? We live in an age when most everything is done for the pleasure and convenience of self. Sadly, the joy of knowing that we get to live our lives for our Lord Jesus Christ is missing from even many Christian homes.
Christian Parents need to train their children to look at life as an opportunity and privilege to serve God neighbor. Training is needed, because the sinful flesh of our children has a natural bent toward selfishness and living for the big "me".
Parents need to help God's little lambs manage their time, treasures, and talents in a way that pleases the Lord and truly benefits their neighbor. This calls for direct and specific guidance. "Let's talk about how much of your paper route money you will give to Jesus." "It's work day at church next Sunday, would you like to rake leaves or mop floors?" "Our neighbor across the street is coming home from the hospital today. Why don't we bake a pie for him?" "Pastor asked if you would be a narrator for the Christmas program. He thinks you have a good speaking voice. Why don't you call him up and say you'll do it?"
But training our children to serve will always be put in the context of God serving us first with His redeeming love. We love God only because He first loved us. We work for Jesus because He died and rose for us all. We want to take care that we teach our children that serving their Lord and Savior is a joyful thing. It really is all about opportunity and privilege. It's a labor of love, something we GET TO DO!
Thank, you dear Lord, for opportunities to serve You and our neighbor, and for loving motivation that makes our children want to serve.
Then here will I and mine today
A solemn covenant make and say:
Though all the world forsake Thy Word,
I and my house will serve the Lord.
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 625:5)
