In light of my recent single mommy post, I wanted to share some further thoughts …
First … I’ve been so blessed to have found an incredible group of women to join in with Good Morning Girls. We’re currently reading Sally Clarkson’s Ministry of Motherhood and studying Scripture referenced throughout the book. I am so incredibly thankful to have these godly women {Stacey, Amy, and Stef} holding me accountable to be in the Word each day. The bits of wisdom, truth, and perspective they breathe into me on a daily basis is something that I will forever be grateful for.
Second … I truly can not express to you how highly I recommend this book! I could write a book about what I’m taking away from it … but I think you’d be better off just purchasing Sally’s words instead! :)
The premise of the book is that, as mother’s, we are discipling our children. Just as Jesus ministered and discipled His followers, we are ministering and discipling our followers … our children.
There are so many … too many pieces of wisdom in this book … and I’m not even half way done with it! A few things I want to share with you though …
“Like Jesus, we are to draw our own children to a life apart from the rest of the crowd.”
“If I want {my children} to be open to my messages, I need to be willing to serve them –
to voluntarily give up my rights and my time to meet their felt needs – just as Jesus
was willing to give for his disciples.”
“Jesus’ example of servant leadership sets him apart from so many historical religious leaders.”
“I realize my love and service to {my children} must come before any of my great words,
my teaching and training.”
“Jesus showed us the power of a different kind of leadership.”
“It was because of Jesus’ total life commitment to {his disciples}, their friendship with them, and his
willingness to give to them – his time, his wisdom, his practical help, even cutting short
his precious prayer time to rescue them from predicaments such as a tossing boat – that
they were able to respond in return, giving their whole lives to him.”
“Passing on the gift of grace to our children requires a commitment – and yes, a sacrifice
– of time, love and heart service.”
“The grace they show to others will largely come from parents who learned it first
from our own servant King.”
The most poignant part of the book {so far} is the image this paints, but as you read it … read it from the heart of a weary, wornout, tired mama:
“The night before Jesus was to be crucified, his heart and mind must have been filled
with weariness and exhaustion at the thought of what he would soon endure.
The sins of the whole world – throughout all of history! – were about to be placed
upon his back as he laid down his life to pay the penalty for all of us …”
“Yet it is at this point that we see him making a beautiful gesture
of love and service toward his disciples.”
John 13:1, 3-5 tells how, knowing what was to come … He got up from the
dinner table and began to wash the disciples feet. He must’ve been worn,
weary, tired … and He knew no rest was in His future. But yet in His weariest time,
“Jesus {chose to spend} his last night on earth with his disciples in
service to them. How powerful their memories of that night
must have been – the King of the whole universe touching and rubbing
their dusty feet and gently drying them with a towel.
Their Lord and Master breaking the loaf of bread
and serving each of them for the celebrated feast of the Passover.”
This tender example of discipleship and service pushes me forward when I am tired … when I am worn and weary. I’m thankful … forever thankful … that He’s shown us how to disciple and minister to our most precious followers … our children.
My prayer is that I will never forget the sacrifices, service and love that He’s shown … so I can in turn instill that same discipleship model to my followers … and them to their future followers.
What a powerful group of friends… holding you accountable to be in the word— so nicE!!! I love your reflections on sacrifice and service… :):)
Oh this book sounds FANTASTIC!! I think I will see if I can sneak this onto my birthday wish list! Thanks so much for mentioning it – even just those few quotes you picked to share are encouraging.
Beautiful post Tracie :)
Thank you once again for your encouraging words….. Just when I start to get selfish and go “Hey what about me????”You remind me that it isn’t always about selfish comfort, but to comfort our little ones:) To teach them, but to also flourish in their happiness.
What a wonderful post! You are leaving the best legacy, a parent can leave behind for their children.
Keep searching for the treasures of Heaven!
Ephesians 3:17-19
I have been looking for a book to study for Moms in Touch next year – this looks great. Thanks for the recommendation!
love reading along with you !!
Love to you my friend, what a blessing it is to have each other.
Thank you so much for the encouragement and insight. Can’t wait to read Sally’s book. I just had the opportuntity to go with a great group of 18 precious children to CentriKid Camp and have come home exhausted but renewed. I loved finding this post (that I’ve been anxiously awaiting)! I took away from camp that it is not about having the perfect words (that I never have) but just willing to let God use me to show love to others. Your post sums it all up perfectly! God has been speaking to me big time! Thanks for being a part of that!