February 24, 2013 is an important day for us as a family. We dedicated Stella to the Lord which means we plan to raise her in a loving, Christian home. I mentioned in an earlier post that our church is doing a series on “Building Relationships.” The sermon today was basically about being a parent. Which was perfect sermon for us to take notes on how to do our best in raising Stella in a Godly home. The statement that really hit home for me was “exposure to truth does not change your child’s life.” There is a difference in taking your kids to church and raising your kids in a Christian home. Just because you go to church does not mean that they are being raised in a Christian home. The reason I bring this up is because I have heard from people in the past say they wished they would have taken their child to church more and maybe their child would not be in their current not-so-good situation. However, there is more to just taking your child to church. Instead, your goal as a parent must be to shepherd the heart of your child and not their hands. Teach your child so that their heart understands. Bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord and lastly train your child to live like Jesus. They must see these things done at home and the parents must show their child what it looks like to live like Jesus.
Every family gets to pick out a verse to dedicate to their child. The verse we chose I think fits perfectly with the sermon.
Deuteronomy 6:5-7
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on you children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”
Just like the sermon this verse says you must teach your children about the Lord more than on Sunday but it must be lived out everyday in your home.
Stella received a bible from the church and a letter that she is to open on the day that she accepts Christ as her savior. They gave me a copy of the letter and I thought I would share it because it is so sweet. It brought tears to my eyes that one day I will be able to give her that letter.
Blogging Love,