This week, our family memory verses included Deuteronomy 6:5-9. Our family has made a pretty big deal out of these verses over the past several years– publicly heralding for as many as we can reach that you should love The Lord your God with all your heart, soul and might; that the words of The Lord should be written on your heart– and that you should TEACH THEM DILIGENTLY to your children day in and day out, through every circumstance and every activity. Our family’s mission is to encourage families in discipleship and to try in every way we can to equip them to carry out that privilege in their own homes.
The Lord has greatly blessed the work of our hands, and He has allowed us to interact with many people over the past few years. There are many Christian families who are really tuning into the importance of discipleship, of teaching our children diligently, of instilling in them a love for The Lord their God that is so deep that it will guide their thoughts and actions for the rest of their lives. We thank God for that.
But, we’re busy.
This blessing has come at great cost sometimes. Most days there seems to be more opportunities and more to do than we could possibly accomplish by ourselves. With the availability of social media, texting and email, we are very accessible to everyone who wants to talk to us. That’s wonderful! I am thankful for it, but it got out of control- big time.
Satan is so sly that he took our very passion and turned it against us. He got us so busy trying to equip others to disciple their children that as I look back over some of the days of this past year, I realize that the discipleship of our own children was neglected from time to time. How can that be?
Are you busy?
Of course you are! There is more to do in each day than most of us can possibly achieve. Are you serving others? I would imagine that many of you are. You are probably involved in church activities or writing to encourage or praying with people or meeting someone’s needs… but have those ministries– as important as they are– taken first place with you? Is your family paying a high price for them?
Mine was. I had to take a step back and acknowledge that people are important, but MY people… the people God grew inside of me and gave to me to be their Mama… are the ones that I am responsible for first and foremost. I am to shepherd their young hearts, to teach them diligently about our great God and Savior, to teach them how to be young men and ladies that God can use one day to accomplish His will in this world. Our home has been much different since I did!
Do you have any good strategies and tips that you could share with us about how you keep your priorities in proper balance? I am sure that there are others like me who would love to hear from you about how you disciple in the busy.
Leslie Nunnery is first and foremost a child of the King. She lives in upstate South Carolina where she and her family produce Christian home school and discipleship events called Teach Them Diligently. She would love to see you at one of them in 2014!
Sharing with A Proverbs 31 Wife, The Modest Mom, The Prairie Homestead, Time Warp Wife, Growing Home, Cornerstone Confessions, Raising Homemakers, We Are That Family, A Wise Woman Builds Her Home, Walking Redeemed, Raising Arrows, Graced Simplicity, Raising Mighty Arrows, and Happy and Blessed Home.
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Rebecca says
Yes, we have to start in our homes. By serving our family and then serving with them, we are growing disciples and you, sweet friend are doing just that! I love you dearly and am blessed to call you friend. Thank you for mentoring me, loving me and teaching me this life lesson!
Leslie says
I am pretty sure this is a life lesson we are all going to have to learn over and over. It seems the evil one knows right where to aim. I think he spends a lot of time making sure that we get so busy with doing good and “spinning our wheels” that we are apt to miss out on doing what is best. I am so thankful for your friendship, too. God was so good to us to allow our paths to cross!
Beth Mora says
Unfortunately I use to see this scripture as one more “task” on my to do list. However, an unfolding discovery that opened a pathway for me was pondering what kind of disciple relationship do I have with God? My conclusion was not pretty and needed changing. I laugh at my self as I can hear Jesus saying , “Beth, please come over here and sit….come over here….hold my hand…..please look me in the eye when I am speaking. I was a wiggly, non- resting disciple. I am still growing in my understanding of what a restful discipleship looks like. I desire to emulate the picture set forth in Deuteronomy 6:5-9… conversing with God, while I am standing, while I am sitting, while I am walking. As I am growing in my own discipleship patterns with God, I have to admit there has been a growing transformation in the discipleship of my children. Oh the beauty of an unforced rhythm type of discipleship! Blessings! Thank you so much for posting!
Jen Stults says
The Enemy truly is sly! I’ve found myself in the same position before. The Father often has to remind me to be Mary when I’m tempted to choose Martha instead. Thanks for reminding us of what matters most. I’m visiting from the Titus 2 Tuesday link-up. 🙂
Nicole Beard says
Thanks for visiting Jen!