“Mommy, can I read something for all of us?”
From the backseat on the way home from school, my daughter couldn’t wait to share something from a book she’d checked out at the library.
“Okay, I need everyone to close their books and phones and listen.”
All the boys groaned. Isn’t it annoying when little sisters act like moms?
She read a verse to us from a little red devotional book. Then in her 9-year-old strong voice, she walked us through the explanation and application.
Later, she and I were heading across town for an errand. Again, she opened up her devotional and asked me if she could read to me.
Tears dripped down my cheeks as I listened. Because I remembered in that moment, there are a million ways I hope she grows past me. A million things I’ve said, which I hope she will not repeat. So many useless pursuits she’s watched me chase after.
Even so, she’s caught my passion for the Word of God.
She’s speaking it now, in her own beautiful voice.
She’s imitating my simple car devotion habit, even though I’m scattered and inconsistent.
On the way to or from school, and on other trips across town, I often share with my kids something from my own Bible study. Or I ask them to listen to a chapter through the Bible app, and then give them a chance to tell what stands out to them.
I want them to do more than listen to the Word of God. I want them to learn to put it in their own words, and to understand that God is speaking to them through it.
More than anything, I want my kids to see God in His Word.
I want them to let His Word teach them about Him. I hope they will all fall deeply in love with the Lord, and continue in that love.
///////////
A while ago, I copied this line by author, Brene’ Brown, into my journal–
“We have to be the women we want our daughters to be.”
I spent some time with that one, thinking through ways I both succeed and fail at living it. It’s hard, right? Because we’re human, and we’re working with strengths and weaknesses. Nobody gets it all right.
So my little girl’s passion reminded me that though I’m sometimes inconsistent and impatient and preoccupied rather than present, (and all the other things I could list about myself)–I am also remaining in the True Vine, and He’s remaining in me.
Jesus is bearing fruit beyond what I immediately see.
He promises that in Him, we will bear much fruit. In Him. With Him. Through Him.
Our efforts matter, but it’s not so much about our strengths and weaknesses. Jesus can do far more than we even imagine. He will take our efforts and turn them into much fruit.
So yes, be a woman worth imitating. Just know you’ll never exactly make it.
Then look forward with hope, to see what Jesus will make out of it all.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5