Being Prepared

It has occurred to me that I need to be a prepared momma.  I’ve always felt like I was a pretty well-prepared person.  Growing up I was a Girl Scout so it was a given that I’d be prepared for any and all situations, right?  In grade school I took two pens and a notebook to class just in case someone else needed one.  In college I’d throw an extra pair of clothes in the car for those ”just in case I go somewhere after class” times.  And now with my kids I thought I’d do fun art & science projects with them.  But, OH NO! I didn’t prepare beforehand.  – THIS got me thinking about spiritual things.  I need to get prepared before starting an art project but how much more before venturing into the day! 

The Bible says in 2 Timothy 4:2 to “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season.”  And, “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15).

Art and science projects are fun, but someone needs to prepare all the materials, know when to do it, and how to pull it off.  When it comes to spiritual things, we need to be prepared mommas in these ways too. 

Get prepared for spiritual things each day by putting on the armor of God, by praying for your kids, praying for those who will come into your home, for those you will meet while we are “on the way”.  As prepared mommas we might be the vessel that God uses to turn a sinner away from her sin.  It’s having spiritual antenna up to recognize the tone in someone’s voice that says, “I’m not okay”. 

Ephesians 2:10

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works,

which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

 

If we are Ephesians 2:10, we can ask the One who made us, who formed us, and who has it already mapped out for us how to be prepared. 

Are you prepared? Have you received Jesus as your Savior? God loves you and wants you to know His way.  He wants you to be prepared for life, death, and eternity.  The only way to know God the Father is through His Son, Jesus. By accepting Jesus as your personal Savior, you will have V.I.P. access to the Father. Jesus says that He goes to the Father and prepares a place for you. Now, that’s what I call being a prepared momma.

“God, I’m a sinner and I need You to save me from my sins. Please forgive me and cleans me from head to toe, make me whole and pure. I am deciding today, right now, to receive Jesus as my Savior and I pray You help me follow You each day of my life. I pray this in the name of Jesus, Amen.”

If you prayed to receive Jesus just now, please let someone know.  You can leave a comment below or go to that person you know who has been talking to you about Jesus.  Read your Bible and get to know God.  Go to church.  Pray.  The Parakelo moms are proud of you and so is the Lord.

Next Generation Leaders

“The greatest among you will be your servant.” - Matthew 23:11

Today during snack time in the Seawell house, we had a conversation that has been a reoccurring theme over the past few weeks. It is the leadership role my oldest son has stepped into and the impact it has on his younger brother. As we munched on popcorn, I praised my older son for his leadership skills he has been showing lately. I have watched him really step up and strive to obey. While through this process trying to remind him that Christ is always watching him, even if mommy isn't. He is not perfect, but like the rest of us...he is a process.

Jesus was a servant leader.  My heart's desire is to instill that truth in my sons. Boys becoming men who will be our next generation leaders who are willing to serve and sacrifice just like the Lord did. Here are three simple steps to take as we raise up our little leaders who will one day impact others in the name of Christ.

Prepare, Practice and Praise!

Prepare- share and talk about ways your child can be a leader towards the younger siblings, while the smaller ones are listening (knowing this someday will be their role as well as you have more children). I tell my oldest all the time what a privileged position he has, and how God chose him for that role of being the leader of the kids in our family.

Practice- teach them and then give them an opportunity to put it to work.
Here are some servanthood leadership ideas for children to help illustrate this revelation from:
http://ministry-to-children.com/servanthood-leadership-ideas-for-children/



At church…

1) Wait on friends during snack time. Let everyone receive snack before you take snack yourself.


2) Ask their teachers,  "How can I help serve you today?"


At home…
1) Help sibling with their chores (i.e. make their bed, help with their dishwasher duty).

2) Empty all the garbage cans in the house.


At school…
1) Let others go ahead of in the lunch line. Do not argue about being first.

2) Bring a pack of fresh pencils and sharpen them all. Hand them out to all your classmates.

3) Serve the teacher by offering to wash the blackboard.



Praise- remember to praise them as they follow through leading a great example. As they receive praise they will be encouraged to do it more often!

We want our kids to serve others and look more like Jesus, but we forget that process must start with us leading the way.

Are we reflecting a good example of what a servant leader looks like?

Are we asking Christ for ways we can better serve Him to further the kingdom?

What do you think the Lord might be saying to you through this blog?

What do you think He might want you to do about it?