Two Cents Tuesday
Welcome to our very first Two Cents Tuesday. I beg you to comment. You don't even have to have a blogger account. Post as anonymous- I really don't care. My mom is a faithful commenter (thanks mom!), but I KNOW there are lurkers out there, and I KNOW you can take half a minute to leave a comment. The comments are moderated, so they won't immediately show up. I know this is annoying, but trust me, it's more annoying to have to deal with spam. Or weird people. I don't want you to have to see those kinds of messages. A wise friend of mine once told me, "What's read cannot be unread." I'm doing this for your own good. Soooooooo....... here's your question:
In his letter to the Thessalonians, Paul says, in reference to his conduct toward the church...
For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed— God is witness. Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ. But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God, but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.- 1Thess 2:5-8 (ESV)
In a way, the apostles were "parenting" the early Christian church. What are the parallels in this verse between the apostles relationship to their "newborn" converts and our relationship with our children?
Ex. Like the apostles, in our parenting, we should not be seeking glory from people. Parenting isn't about having a little person around to "worship" you. It's also not about portraying ourselves to other parents as a know-it-all. Despite the fact we are in a position where it is possible to flaunt our authority and make stringent demands on our children or family- that's not what nurturing parents should do. Our concern should be the growth of our children, not the growth of our own egos.
Alrighty! Have fun!
I find it interesting that the Greek word for the "children" who are being nursed in that verse is not the word for a baby. Rather it is a word that is used for everything from a child to a pupil, a disciple or one who depends on another. In the same way, nursing is about so much more than physical nourishment for a small baby, but also comfort and affection for a child.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G5043&t=KJV
It reminds me that as a parent we have to accept our children for who they are, loving them with our whole hearts and giving ourselves fully to them.
ReplyDeleteAs parents, just as with the apostles, there are no hidden agendas of expectations. It is love that should motivate us and move us in our relationship with our children.
Having two years of experience as a nursing mom, I have strong feelings when Paul says "gentle...like a nursing mother." It's that gentleness of holding something precious and, as Paul says, "very dear." It's that love that not only wants to share and teach, but to give of self as well.
ReplyDeleteIt's a great reminder that I'm here to serve and train my children in love as they grow, so that one day they can go out on their own and do the same. (Just as in discipleship! I love that parallel!) So the next time I hear, " 'nother book!" after five in a row, or "No, Mommy, you play more with me!" when I'm already sore from sitting in the floor, I'll remember to respond with gentleness and give a bit more of myself. :)
I suppose what's popping out for me at the moment is the humble approach to ministering or parenting (or hopefully both) that the apostles were demonstrating. It is easy to be prideful as a parent, and perhaps unwilling to admit mistakes or show your 'humanity' to your child. Being honest and 'real' might get us a lot further in along the journey of having great relationships with our kids than working under a false pretense of "I'm great, and I'm Mom or Dad, and I said so, so there." Not really trying to explain my personal 'fallenness' to my 16 month old just yet...but it's a thought for the future! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm afraid I didn't see that parallel when I was a new mother but the older I got, the more it became apparent. My children actually helped me grow up just as much as I helped them grow up - maybe more. Loving my children opened my eyes in a new way to the love of God. The apostles were showing love and care for the new Christians to give them an understanding of God's love. He gives us unconditional love - our love for our children is unconditional as well. Through them He has taught me patience, acceptance, tolerance, and the desire to be a person who lets 1 Corinthians 13 guide my thoughts and words and actions. We are never too old to be nurtured by God's word!
ReplyDeleteWhen I think of parenting, the most important daily prayer for me is Patience. I have to constantly remind myself "These children are not doing these highly annoying things to spite me." They just happen to all poop at the same time. Three of them honestly, to their core, believe THEY are entitle to ride the bike at this moment in time. "No, You may NOT pull your cousin's hair".. "Yes, You have to use your words".. "Put your bottom in your chair, Put your BOTTOM in your CHAIR, PUT YOUR BOTTOM IN YOUR CHAIR"
ReplyDeleteThis is much the same way with new Christians. They can try our patience just like children tend to do. We must NOT judge them, God will judge us all one day and we need to be careful one of our judgments from God isn't unjustly judging others, ESPECIALLY new Christians, lest they give up on this life forever with a "I tried, oh well" attitude, and ne'er a backwards glance.
Hence the Gentleness. Remember they are probably serious about their salvation, even though they still tell off color jokes... smoke cigarettes... and watch TV shows that are less than appropriate.
We all have a daily battle with the flesh, and the sins we are faced with are maybe different than those that aggravate our baby christian friends, they are no less severe. Sin has no weight. The best course of action is stay judgment free, and "Be a good example to the toddlers" HAHA... Something else I say a hundred times a day. :) God Bless! Good Work AB!! Love ~ Amber Helms