Let Them Shine

We drove away from the Superdome yesterday with an icky feeling crawling through our veins. I won’t recount the details, but let’s just say it wasn’t the best day to be a Saints fan. Most people left frustrated, well, except Elijah.

No, our 7-year old rolled down his window and with a smile stretched across his face greeted everyone we passed on the way out of the parking garage. People we knew. People we didn’t know. Players. Policemen. Babies. Adults. You name it, Elijah brought them a smile and a kind word.

We chuckled up front. It’s quite possible Elijah doesn’t have one competitive bone in his little body. An idea difficult for his super-competitive Daddy (and okay, Mom too) to understand. Yet, as we passed all those people something happened.

Everyone smiled. Some laughed. Most spoke in return. He changed their day, even if just for a moment.

If you’re joining me for the first time, you’ve landed in week three of my attempt at a parenting series. I said on the outset I don’t have all the answers, but as we’ve journeyed this road together we looked first at 3 ideas for a parenting plan from God the Father, then at our place in this plan.

Today, let’s look at maybe the most vital part of the plan – customizing it.

Since my kids were little I’ve held them and sang a familiar tune as we rocked back and forth,

This little light of mine. I’m gonna let it shine. Let it shine. Let it shine. Let it shine.

And my vision of them began to shift.

What if I saw them as lights? Flames entrusted to my care for God’s glory. And my job, my only job, is to let them shine. Don’t hide their light beneath my expectations. Or douse it with lies or faulty foundations. But fuel them with Truth. Hope. Love.

My little lights glow in different ways. Some warm hearts. Some light the way for others. Some burn with determination. Each one shines.

Just like Luke and his 52 teammates went back to work today intent on fixing yesterday’s wrongs and building on the rights. But they won’t all do it the same way.

Same team. Same goal. Different paths of preparation.

It’s a no-brainer. Can you imagine a quarterback trying to physically prepare like a lineman? Completely different builds and skill sets. Totally different roles on game day, but same preparation? Of course not.

And we can’t treat our kids that way either. Each one needs a customized plan. Which drives me to ask …

God, what is your goal for this child? And how can I help him accomplish it?

Here are two ways I answer that last question:

1. Speak identity.

For {our children} are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that {they} should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10 (ESV)

Ask God to help you identify strengths in your children and how those strengths play out in His purposes for their lives. Then tell your child! Tell them how wonderfully made they are. Draw each child’s attention to his unique giftings.

Build their confidence in Christ by identifying who they are in Christ.

2. Seek supplements.

Continue to work out your salvation, with great fear and trembling, because God is energizing you so that you will desire and do what always pleases Him.” Philippians 2:12b-13 (VOICE)

When working out our physical bodies, supplements take what we do and amplify its effectiveness. We can use this same concept as we help our children work out their salvation. Several of my kids love music, so we sought out a Godly, qualified music teacher. Some of my kiddos need very strict boundaries, so I looked for charts to make consequences and rewards clear.

Boost the impact of your instruction by supplementing with Godly resources.

I leave you no closer to perfect that when we started. But today I aim not for perfection, but for purpose. God’s purposes in my life and the lives of my children. His light shining in me and in them. And this promise …

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” James 1:5 (NIV)

 

Leave a comment! Do you have any spiritual supplements you love? Please share them with us!

Here are a few of my favorites:

Doorposts’ Parenting Essentials Package

Kids of Character Bible Study