Pouring out without complaining

Phil 2:14-18 Do everything without complaining and arguing so that no one can criticize you . Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in the world full of crooked and perverse people. Hold firm to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ's return, I will be proud that I didn't run the race in vain and that my word was not useless. But I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God just like your faithful service is an offering to God. And I want all of you to share that joy. Yes, you should rejoice and I will share your joy.

Parenting isn't easy. It is hard not to argue and complain with our kids. We try to teach them to be content, but wonder if they will ever “get it”. Actually, we are suppose to learn from them too...their lives are innocent when they are young and they are very moldable. When we actually listen to them, they teach us how to love and accept others. When we learn to appreciate and accept our kids for who they are, we become content in our relationship with them. Sure we have a big responsibility to teach them not to be selfish and to care for others more than themselves, but when we look at life from a child's perspective, we are more likely to accept others for who they are and not criticize them.

Stand strong in your faith and don't back down. The race of raising our children is always before us and we must stay on the path, speaking truth and light to them. The race isn't over until Christ comes back and our responsibility is great, but it is a fun race. It is tiring, but it is full of funny times, and giggles, sweet kisses and hugs.

We should pour ourselves into our kids over and over just like a liquid offering. It is a sacrifice, but I think of the offering like gold stars pouring into them. They will shine bright and our life isn't in vain!! It is worth the work, worth the effort and full of grace and joy. We should be like that with our heavenly Father. He wants to shine his light into us and for us to be excited to meet with Him and gaze into His presence. His light will shine through us to our kids. This joy will permeate to their friends too.

Lord, Help me not to complain about being an active parent. I have a huge responsibility to train my children to be loving and accepting of others, but so often I don't even love and accept them as they are. Show me how to pour into them an offering of love and kindness so they will pour that into their friends. Yes, it is a sacrifice to teach them and train them in the way they should go, but it is worth it to see them spreading Your love!

We Love You, Jesus.

Amen