Perspective

This picture was taken many years ago at about the time I decided I would homeschool these three ladies. I worked 15 years at Ernst & Young‘s 10 in their learning division and thought “how hard could this be?” After 1 hour I realized two things (1) teachers are under appreciated and (2) I did not want to be their teacher of academic material. All four of us are dyslexic and you can only imagine the battles we had through the years with spelling!

So, I relinquished the teaching of academics to those educated in academics.

Today, on the other side of 50, I realized I also relinquished the Discipling (how to be a follower of Jesus) of my children, to the church, the “experts.” In fact I became so passionate about discipling children I switched my life mission from CPA to Children’s Pastor/Director. Without even realizing it I let others (very qualified and sone of my best friends!!) take over my job to disciple those given to me, literally given to me by Jesus.

I can only imagine the frustration many parents are going through on day three of homeschooling with the academics BUT what an amazing opportunity you have to disciple your own children! Don’t hit the panic button if you feel you’re ill-equipped to handle the job. As believers the Holy Spirit will guide us and as the Church (that’s a capital C) we are all here together to be a light for each other and for this time.

It would be easy for you to set your child in front of a screen and let Facebook Live pastors from all over do your job, BUT what if you did the teaching? Better yet...

What if, you humbly admit to your kids you don’t have all the answers and you search the eyewitness accounts of the Apostles and their early letters to the churches to find what it means to be disciples?

What if, as parents YOU disciple the most important people in your lives!! What if Sunday you watch the “adult” services together and you pause to look up and discuss what the pastor is saying or what the words to a song are really all about?

What if, for those whose children are believers in Jesus you begin to treat them like brothers and sisters in Christ and not as children who should be seen and not heard in church?

What if, when you struggle for an answer you phone a grandparent and ask for their thoughts?

What if, you share your faith story with them, and their grandparents?

What if, when you are doing worksheets you examine what they are learning and you approach it from a follower of Jesus viewpoint?

What if, you do Ministry with your family? Don’t look at it as a mission project but as loving deeply just one person who is not a believer, instead of feeling you need to help and save everyone (trust me Jesus is the only one who saves and He wants us to love Him and others make disciples, discipling includes evangelizing—believing the Gospel is the first step. Not quick acts of services (those are good too!), but intentional time doing life with a non believer, meeting them where they are at! Loving deeply one person at a time.

There are tons of great resources out there BUT if you are a believer, you have all you need! Now is a great time to be a Disciple maker as you walk, talk and live out your faith 24/7 with your kids. The best part is, you are going to get frustrated, angry, disappointed, but when you do, STOP and teach your kids about how you feel and as people living in this fallen world we are not perfect, walk them through the best ways to respond.

Ok, (1) if you are not a believer or (2) you are a disciple of Jesus and you need someone praying for you or (3) you don’t have any grandparents to FaceTime email me at equippingtomorrow@icloud.com and I’ll be here to walk with you through this unique opportunity we have been given!

Remember it is all about perspective!!