This week’s post has been written by Kate Millington
Discipleship Parenting
Do you remember leaving your child overnight with someone for the first time? Or the first time you left them at nursery or school? Or when you left them at university for the first time?
You may still be able to recall the separation you felt! For a little while you feel like you’ve lost a limb and all you think about is them…are they okay? I hope they are happy and enjoying themselves. Are they missing me?
As a parent you know just what your child needs often even before they ask for it and no one can take the place of a child’s main caregiver. Before they can even speak we become experts at anticipating and working out their needs and tuning into their every requirement.
In relationship
Our Father in heaven made us to be in relationship with others. It reflects his heart. Deep-rooted connections are at the centre of healthy relationships. At the root of discipleship is a heart connection. Relationships need to be nurtured and cultivated and so to disciple effectively in families we need to prioritise time with our children and family members. Recently Simon talked about discipleship in families and said ‘it’s about deep heart connections with these little people God’s entrusted you with.’ So how connected are you with your children? And in your other relationships?
Listen to Simon’s talk on Discipleship in the Family here.
The importance of family
Family is important, and discipleship happens in families. Children often model what they see so we need to make it our aim to demonstrate and communicate the love of God in as many ways and times as we can and in the most consistent way we can. From this our children will know how important they are to the Father and that He loves them unconditionally – and you will be reminded of this truth too! We’re not perfect but our Father in Heaven is, and He models perfect love: ‘See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!’ (1 John 3).
Psalm 139 says ‘you have searched me, Lord and you know me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up…you are familiar with all my ways…you hem me in, behind and before and lay your hand upon me.’ He knows us completely and Jeremiah 31:3 reminds us ‘He loves us with an everlasting love.’
As you develop those deep hearted connection with your children you reflect the heart of the Father.
Thank you so much Kate for your insightful post.
