Spiritual Parenting

August 30, 2019 – Today is my mom’s birthday. I am so thankful for her. She is always such a model of generosity and love. In the course of his ministry, Paul had two “children in the faith,” Timothy and Titus. The content of his letters to those two men is absolutely amazing, but even more compelling is the example Paul sets for us all. We should have “children in the faith” for whom we have a special affection and make an investment in their lives. Our physical children are certainly included in that, but it shouldn’t stop there. Parents are special people. Let’s be that, to new believers as well.

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This isn’t the first time that the idea of being a mentor has come up in our discussion. It is such an important part of the instructions Jesus gave us for life. Now, here is where we tend to turn the idea of mentoring into another task on our to-do list. I reject that idea in Jesus' name! Mentoring, like parenting should just flow out of who we are. Once we become a parent, that is a part of our identity. Likewise, when a person becomes a Jesus follower, they also become a mentor. Period. End of discussion.

As you let that idea sink in a bit, let me ask this question, what kind of a mentor are you? All right, so maybe that’s a bit unfair because you haven’t thought in these terms before. That’s totally understandable and okay, but what now? Look around. Who has God placed in your life for this very purpose? You don’t have to have all the answers to be a good example. Walk with God. Take your faith seriously. Admit your mistakes. Make things right. Invite others to join you. That is really all it takes.

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