The Big Top- Week 3

We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God, but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us. 1 Thessalonians 2:8

I walked in the door and did not say a word. The door slammed behind me and throwing my things on the table, I marched upstairs to change clothes. Returning downstairs I entered the living room and my husband asked me about my day. I managed to give him a grunt. My day had been maddening and I was not in the mood to talk about anything. However, just then the phone rang and picking it up, I became a different person. I smiled and talked pleasantly into the phone while my husband's jaw dropped. After I hung up, I warped back into Cruella deVille, still frustrated. As the evening progressed I had no patience with my kids and snipped at them repeatedly. The phone was ringing off the hook that night and every time it rang, I answered politely exchanging pleasantries with friends only to hang up and withdraw from my own family once again. I was sitting at the table working when the phone rang once more. I picked it up and answered cordially. On the other end was a very familiar voice- my husband. With an ornery smile in his voice he said, "Hey there, I thought I would call and talk since you are so happy and joyful when you are on the phone." At that moment, I put my head back and laughed, my frustration melted and my foolishness was clear. I needed to ask my family for forgiveness. I should have taken the time to become vulnerable and "real", sharing with them rather than sneering at them.

The Big Top. Living the circus. Managing to keep it all together. Or so we try.

However, when it all comes down to it, the most important thing we can do is tell the next generation about Jesus Christ. We must nurture our own relationship with Jesus Christ (week 1), we must teach our children to apply the Word in their own lives (week 2) and we must share our own faith walk with them. Paul said to the Thessalonians, "We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God, but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us." Our lives- our faith walk. That means not only the joys and the good times, but the tears and the struggles as well. It means we have the privilege of being real with our children, with those we mentor, with those whom we have become a "spiritual parent" or anyone God has placed in our sphere of influence. When we are real and share with them what we are dealing with, prayer concerns that we may have, where we saw God that day or asking them for forgiveness when we make mistakes, they see a demonstration of walking the talk. When we depend on God, trust Him in the uncertainties, praise Him or cry out to Him, they see a living, breathing faith in Christ. Faith becomes more than just a concept preached from the pulpit. It becomes a way of life.

One Saturday evening, my husband was studying his sermon he had prepared for the next morning. He felt uneasy as some things just didn't seem to be coming together.

As I put the boys to bed, Bruce entered the room. I shared with them some of their dad's concerns and we proceeded to lay our hands on him and pray. To hear our sons' precious prayers for their father was priceless. Walking the journey together. Being real.

Oh God, teach them, show them who You are, grow their faith in You. Amen.

Jocelyn Hamsher