That Giddy Mommy Krissy: Teaching our children scripture

Recently, I had an a simple but insightful revelation regarding the mission and purpose of being a mother. My role is not to shelter our children from opposition, but it's to equip them. Equip them with the tools they need so when they're face with adversity they will remain grounded.

I'm sure many people may think that we shelter our children by keeping them away from certain things. But the truth is, we keep these things from them not because we are under this illusion that if we do, then they will never be exposed to it. Instead, we keep certain things from them because not only are these things distasteful to us as parents, but we are focusing on building a strong foundation for them.

Right now the foundation is God's word. Why? Because the grass withers and the flowers fall but the word of God endures forever. (Isaiah 40:8) Everything that they might face, they can know how to deal with it from the Bible. We have already dealt with life threatening incidents like a car accident that totaled my car with the kids in it, near drownings with both of them, and death of a dear neighbor. To less dramatic incidents like hurt feelings on the playground and scary dreams. In all these experiences we used scriptures to guide and ground our emotions, to get wisdom from the experience, to share comfort with others and to learn to trust God more.

Their understanding of God's word is amazing! No wonder Jesus said that we must have faith like a child. They not only memorize the scriptures but they apply it and talk about it with one another when they unaware that we're listening. I have chosen scriptures for them to memorize that introduce them to God's love or according to what they're going through. Hey the issues of a 4 and 5 year old may not seem big to us but remember how little they are. So their issues are big to them and as their parents we are called to address them with compassion just like God does for us. Sometimes David struggles with sleeping through the night so he memorized, "I lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone O Lord make me dwell in safety" (Psalm 4:8). Moriah sometimes struggles with being shy or timid. So she memorized, "and the peace of God which transcends all understanding shall guard your heart and mind through Christ Jesus." (Philip 4:7). After they memorized about 4 scriptures, school started and I was so grateful that Moriah's class is also teaching them a scripture a week. So we just teach David those as well:)

We are hoping and trusting that our choices of movies, songs, family time activities, affirmation, security and love all reiterate God's word and build a firm foundation. So that when they get older and they stumble or wander that they will enough truth in them to see the that the lies of this world might be enjoyable for short time but the joy of Christ is much more profitable and it surpasses them all.:)

~Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Dueteronomy 11:19

~All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. 2 Timothy 3:16

~Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in warped and crooked generation. Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast in the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. Philippians 2:14-16


David's scriptures on his wall. As soon as I get time to get crafty I will make this look a little more presentable:) but this serves it's purpose for now.