A Heart to Serve

There were many times when my children were very young, and I was walking the untrodden path of a first generation Christian mother, making choices that extended family considered to be nuts (or worse), that I spent time lying in bed awake at night, wondering if all of this labor was in vain.

I used to have people look at me, count my children (five born within just under 6 years), and point out that I’d one day have 5 teenagers at once, and be heartily sorry for it. I’m not sure why people felt the need to say things like that to a busy, overwhelmed momma. I’d lie awake and wonder if they were right, and then I’d give the matter over to the One who offers peace that passes all understanding!

Thankfully, young people don’t have to turn into the cultural idea of “teenagers” at 13. All of my children are in their double digit ages now, so I can say that with more confidence than when they were all under 6 years old.

There are still those moments when I look at my children and wonder what the future holds for them now that they are all speeding towards adulthood. We’ve spent lots of time in prayer for wisdom and direction. However, I am thankful to look at my not-so-young ones and thank God for children with a heart for the Lord, and a desire to serve Him.

A friend of mine, who has all very young children, spent the day with my oldest during a day of choir rehearsals and mentioned to me that being around my daughter gives her hope for her children. Another friend asked me what I used for family devotions, hoping that maybe there is a special program or something that will elicit the right outcome. She reads this blog and suggested I give three simple tips to raising children with a heart to serve.

I felt humbled, because I know how often I fail as a mom. I didn’t have much support or training in the early days of motherhood, and I know that most of my mothering has been by grace, through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, and not my own parenting skills! I know enough to give credit to Whom credit is due: the Lord.

Three simple steps? I’m not sure if we can break it down into an easy, bite sized, guaranteed formula. However, there are three principles I’ve tried to raise my children by.

1. Because God says in His Word that “He who began a good work in you will complete it” (Philippians 1:6), the most important foundation is a genuine conversion by grace through faith. If our children know Christ, then they are His, and He will continue to work in their lives. We’ve tried to emphasize our need for a savior and how to be saved more than any other lessons to them. The fruit of the Spirit (ie, godly character) is born out of a life that is surrendered to and growing in Christ.

2. The most important parenting verse in all the Word of God is James 1:5: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God…” There are going to be many times in raising all of these blessed little individuals for the Lord that you realize what worked for child #1 isn’t really working for child #2. God formed our children, and knew them before they were even conceived, and so He is able to give us divine wisdom in how to apply the principles from His Word in raising our children in all of the specific situations that arise in our lives.

3. Children learn by our examples as much as by our words and lessons. If you want children who serve, then need to see you serving. They need to serve alongside of you as they grow. They need to hear you thankful and not complaining about serving the Lord. They need to see you deal with conflict in a godly way, humble enough to apologize when you are wrong. So many of our lessons are not found in the perfect family devotional, but rather in those every day circumstances God sends our way, and seeing their parents live out their faith on more than just Sunday mornings.

In Malachi 2:15, we read that the Lord desires our marriages to produce a godly seed, that is, children who are like Elohim. All of our training up needs to point to Him first of all, and He will help us as we raise them for His glory.

About The Author

Kimberly Eddy has written 19 articles on this blog.

Hardly the drudgery she originally feared it would be, Kimberly Eddy’s life at home has been one big adventure in mothering, wifeliness, and walking with the Lord. Kimberly has been Martin’s wife since 1992, and a joyful momma since 1993. She and Martin have five children ages 10-16, and have home schooled their children from birth. Kimberly’s love for art and writing has bore fruit with a daily blog, a nature journalling blog with her daughters, several books and ebooks, as well as articles published in various magazines.

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