John 3:1-2 - Parenting: Be Approachable

        I know John 3 isn’t directly about parenting.  But all of Scripture is the story of our Father and how He loves us, so stick with me on this one.  Plus, we had three of the grandkids over last night so that’s still what I’m thinking about this morning.  Archer (our four-year-old grandson) asked me just before it was time for them to leave, “Grandpa, can you please make me a ‘Kid’s coffee,’ I love them so much?”  I said, “Sure Arch, I’d love to.”  And I then made one for Arch and his big brother, Jack.  Kid’s coffee, BTW, is what I made our kids.  It is warmed milk with coffee creamer and a small spoon of sugar - terrible for their teeth, but they love it.

        If you are a good parent, you want the best for your children (and grandchildren). You also think of them daily, pray for them, and reach out to them to inquire and encourage them.  Don't give up on them!  God, our Father in Heaven won’t give up on us.  He searches for us - even when we drift.

        It’s not because we are so good or so handsome or so important that God does this.  In fact, we are all like Cousin Eddie - barely sufferable.  Yet God sees us as we roll out of bed.  He hears us as we pray the Lord’s Prayer to Him.  God scrutinizes our thoughts and motives and our paths during the day.  And He knows what we’ve done as we then lay down for sleep.  Life's too short for vindication and vengeance.  It's not worth it.  Instead, focus on obedience to Christ and loving others well.

        Jesus knows those that abide in Him (Psalm 139:1-6).  He calls us His prized possession because it’s true.  He really loves us.  He doesn’t call us evil and send us away.  In our brokenness, He knows us completely and loves us.  We are made by Him with love and infinite creativity in Jesus' image and God yearns for us to grow in goodness.

        Jesus, like a loving parent, is approachable.  Be approachable today in all spheres of your life.  Be approachable to your kids and your grandkids if you have them.  God forbid that we are the heroes of our stories.  Make Jesus the hero - for He is.

        Be approachable even to the lady with the Harris/Walz sign still up on her front lawn.  God even loves Democrats - hard to believe, but true.  Greet everyone with a kind and loving smile - be sincere, empathetic, kind, and gracious.  This is the only life we get to make disciples and reconcile people to Christ.  Jesus, the Great I Am, was approachable when he greeted Nicodemus and explained to him how to see the Kingdom of God.  We too must be ready for these important conversations.  But they won’t happen if we are rude, and short with people, angry and vile.

        No matter your age, no matter how dysfunctional your family situation (and yes, I know it is extremely rare not to have dysfunction) love your kids anyway.  Love them like the Father loves the prodigal Son.  Give up your so-called rights and forgive.

        Don’t worry about saving face and being right, etc.  Yes, it’s radical and risky to love like that.  Try it anyway.  We have to pray for the needs of our kids and ask the Father to give them what they need - not what they want.  As Christian parents, we have the awesome responsibility of making disciples of Christ.  We get right with God so that we can show our kids what it means to live and love as Jesus instructs us.  We keep on growing and praying and humbly trusting God.  We admit our shortcomings (and there are many as you very well know) because we see clearly through the Light of our Lord.

        Lord God, what a tremendous day You’ve given us.  We want more than anything to draw so close to You today that we work alongside.  We know we are drawn away by our own natural desires and the darkness that is at war with Your light.  Help us today to desire to come boldly into Your light and to love and serve others well.  May our hearts sing for joy today knowing how much You love us.  Please bless our brothers and sisters in Christ today.  Help us to parent well.  And please help us to boast only in Your unfailing love.  Amen. 

Arch and Jack playing a game with Uncle Abe.