Encouraging our Children
Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. Do not neglect your gift… -I Timothy 4:12-14
Timothy was Paul’s “son” in the faith. Paul mentored and coached Timothy in preaching and teaching the good news of Jesus Christ. In the two letters to Timothy we see a deep and abiding fatherly love for him and his ministry. Paul also had words of fatherly encouragement and support for the church in Thessalonica.
Paul wrote to the Thessalonians, “Just as a nursing mother cares for her children, so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well… For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.” -I Thess. 2:7-12
Last week, the Shearer family traveled to Boise, Idaho, for Vivienne to compete in the Western States Regional Gymnastics Tournament.
Vivi did amazingly well! In her first year of competitive gymnastics, she placed 6th overall for her age group from Excel gymnasts in Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, Oregon, Montana and Washington. It is always a challenge to know how much to cheer your child on, or when encouragement puts too much pressure on them. My desire is to always encourage not only the children God entrusted to our care as a family, but those within our church, schools, and community as well.
When we share our lives, our past, our hopes and our hearts with God’s children, we will always be encouraged in return.
The fatherly love that Paul had for the church in Thessalonica and for Timothy, gives us an example of how we should live in community. We are called to love and care for one another as a family. Just as we experience in our biological families, conflict and confusion are possible. However, we also share stories, history, love and care for each other. Are we quick to forgive and restore relationships or are we easily offended and hurt? Let’s speak words of comfort, encouragement, and love to God’s children. May we “live lives worthy of God, who calls us into his kingdom and glory”.
Your Love is hard at work, O God. Yet we resist, insisting we must do the work ourselves. We resist, unwilling to allow the undeserving to be loved. We resist, wanting to control the methods and outcomes. We forget to give thanks, instead wavering between trying harder and giving up. Forgive our hard-heartedness, and remind us that you are Love. Forgive our narrow vision, and turn us again to walk your way. Forgive our ingratitude, and open us to receive as well as give. Free us from our selfish desires, and make room for your work to grow in us. Amen.
