Raising Great Men and Women of God

So I don't blog about sermons very often, but every once in a while, my pastor says something that really motivates me to use this little public platform to say something.

This week his sermon was directed at students, but the message applies to everyone. He did an amazing job. You should really listen to it here.

The message was about realizing your calling, knowing whose opinion matters, and keeping yourself pure.

The line that got me the most went something like this:
"God did not call us to raise up good little boys and girls. God wants us to raise great men and women of God - world changers!"

That line hit me right in my heart.

He's actually referring to your giftedness when he spoke this line. Something that God has blessed you with - or a trait you have - that God will use. It might seem insignificant to you.

I think I had been focusing on making Jeremy a 'good little boy'. One that will sit quietly during a funeral. One that colors in the lines so his teacher will dote on him and say what a good student he is. One that all the other children like to play with because he fits in.

But God wants him to stand out. God made him into a determined (at times stubborn) young boy who will grow up to stubbornly refuse to compromise his values when it would be easier just to blend in and go with the crowd.

God also made him very loving. Now loving is not a word you would use to describe a 'normal' 3-year-old boy. That loving nature though, is one day going to make Jeremy stand up for someone else who cannot stand up for themselves.

God also made him in a unique way where he craves friendships. Everyone is his friend (including adults). He constantly wants to invite his 'neighbors' over. Many of these children are teenagers! While the inside of Doug and I cringe hoping he easily makes friends and doesn't get a broken heart over normal 'kid stuff', I know that this personality trait will cause him to value all people. There are no barriers in his mind right now. If I try to make him into a 'good little boy' that plays with children his own age, I'm breaking that part of him that God made unique - that he may use to change the world!

So my question for you is: Is there a characteristic or trait your child has that makes them unique that you're trying to squelch for conformity reasons?

My job as a parent is to identify the unique personality traits that make up my son and nurture them.

Alright - let's get to work!














Jeremy's intense curiosity at work...Mommy trying to 'nurture'