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A pupil is not above his teacher; but everyone, after he has been fully trained, will be like his teacher."
Luke 6:40
What would your children be like, if they were to grow up to be like you?
Modeling: One serving as an example to be imitated or compared, an ideal to be copied
Scripture tells us the the disciple becomes like his teacher. So, the teacher must be and live out what he wants the student to be.
The life of God in a person is lived out each moment, by watching a company of adults and family and friends live a holy, excellent, disciplined life before them. It is also given in the oxygen of love breathed at every turn, worship modeled by noticing a sunset, a servant's heart evident through a mama’s service, a rose in a vase, a warm blankie wrapped around a tiny cold body, --all of this work, diligently pursued, work daily wrought for the glory of the Creator.
Authentic, devoted, purposeful relationship is the conduit through which faith is passed on to another.
Modeling is not something that can be passed on by keeping a rule or memorizing scripture. Modeling and influencing another in godliness is only effective if it is authentic, real and lived out in the teacher who is in authority.
I had a model who helped me know just how to be authentic--Jesus.
Pondering Him, copying Him, loving Him, living His ways gave me the confidence to know that what I followed would bring blessing in the lives of my children, because modeling myself after the best teacher was the best foundation possible.
I could not be perfect, but I could be passionate about my love for Him, and grow in maturity, righteousness and character in front of my children, showing them how to discipline their own lives for finding maturity and growth.
How do we do this?
I loved God in front of my children every day, with all of my heart. I may have waffled in other areas, but I wanted this to be the best thing about me--to love engaging in His word, to depend on Him, seeking to obey Him, to talk about His truth, to hear His voice, to choose to believe, and to live in that faith. I knew that it was what my children most needed--a model of what it really looked like to know and love and serve Him.
I have been receiving so many letters from sweet mamas who are discouraged or weary in their journey. When we try to live up to our ideals over a long time, while constantly being drained by the daily needs of our children and demands of life, it is easy to become empty and then wonder what is wrong with us. Self-criticism sets in and discouragement abounds.
Because I wanted to be of encouragement to women who are choosing faithful work day after day, my team dreamed with me about having a membership site where women could fill up spiritually, emotionally, be inspired, feel supported. Life With Sally is a site you might be interested to join so that you can also find something just for you to fill your cup so to speak and to keep inspired along the way. Each month, you will receive an email that connects you to our site. There are already many recordings of Bible studies, (like the one we are sharing with you today on my podcast), studies of books for children, art and composter studies, recipes and cooking demonstrations, and much more. If you are interested in joining or looking into it, please go HERE to have a look. I hope you will join our community soon. And I hope you will enjoy this podcast which is a sample of what you would hear on my site each month. Happy Weekend.
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