When I Grow Up, I Wanna Be...

When I Grow Up, I’m Going To Be…….

By Lisa Simmons

www.LisaDSimmons.com

When my daughter was in second grade, she was given a certificate that stated her “character quality”. This was the quality that her teacher had seen in her throughout the year. Unfortunately, she was not happy with hers. She got into the car and burst into tears. “Persuasive”. Ah, that teacher knew my daughter. Allie Beth was one who knew what she wanted and believed she also knew what you wanted, even if you didn’t. Her teacher had explained that with this “gift” she would make a good attorney. She told me she didn’t want to be an attorney. I explained to her that being an attorney was not her only option to which she replied, “What is an attorney?”

It’s a funny story now, but it caused me to ask, “How can I uncover the less visible character qualities in my daughter?” She was most upset that the other girls received “joy”, “kindness”, or “compassion”. My job was to show her that:

1. Persuasiveness is a good gift.

2. She has many more gifts that may never be acknowledged but are none-the-less real.

“Raise a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart” (Proverbs 22:6). This scripture has been interpreted in myriad ways. I believe God is giving us a premise, not a promise. Many parents hang on this verse, believing that if we do everything right, then my child will walk into the world as an unshakable Christian. Many parents have also been sorely disappointed by that interpretation.

It is more clear when we break it down:

1. “in the way he should go”- Gifts and talents  are God-given. We must hone these gifts, whether or not they fit our vision or desire. We teach our children God’s ways because it IS the way they should go. But we must do so not only by telling, but also showing. If we expect our children to learn the character of Christ at church and then live with the opposite characteristics displayed at home, we are asking for trouble.

2. “when he is old” -Some children are born “old”, grasping at a young age concepts many adults do not. Others do not “grow up” spiritually until they are well into adulthood. We must not fret when our child at age 18 has still not shown the Godly characteristics that we feel we have taught him or her. God alone knows how “old” they are.

3. “he will not depart”- “he will not depart” may not mean from our church, our doctrine, or our way of thinking. He or she may, and perhaps should, depart from some of our ways. By teaching him or her that God’s word is the infallible source of knowledge and wisdom where they will find THE answers, we can be more confident that from there “he or she will not depart”.

Uncovering and honing God-given character and giftings in our children begins in our home, but the process continues throughout their lives. We must not feel that because a child has not reached maximum potential by the time they leave home, that we have failed. God alone knows, how, why and when our children will “grow up” and what they will “become”. We can rest in that knowledge.

Now #MomArmy15, let’s pray like our kids lives depend on it! You may use the scripture prayer below and insert your child’s name when you see a blank. Or feel free to use other scriptures God has placed on your heart. We would love it if you typed at least one sentence of your prayer in the comments section or left a comment that shares your heart with us. We love you!

Lord, thank you for the gift of ________________. She/He is a blessed reward from you and I am so grateful. (Psalm 127:3) Thank you that you love ____________ even more than I do. (Matthew 7:11) Give me wisdom to help uncover and hone the precious gifts you have given her/him. (Romans 12:4-8) I pray that ____________________will seek you with all her/his heart and find you. (Jeremiah 29:13) May _______________receive your immeasurable blessings when she/he uses those gifts for your glory. (Luke 6:38)

In Christ Alone,

Amen

This post is part of a blog series hosted by Anna Frye, founder of Chosen And Crowned Ministries. Anna's heart, along with the 12 other mom writers in this series, is to raise up a growing army of moms (#MomArmy15) who Pray Like Their Kids Lives Depend On It. This series runs from Sept. 7-Oct. 2. Join the Mom Army and invite your friends at www.ChosenAndCrowned.com/blog.