I cry every time I watch the end of Mr. Holland's Opus. I am a total sucker for inspirational movies. Any story that tells the tale of adversities overcome and battles won. I see the look of triumph on Mr. Holland's face as he is conducting his symphony after 30 years of waiting and I see a purpose fulfilled.
I wanted to be a teacher all my childhood years. To have a profound affect, impacting children's lives and giving them passion for learning and the skills to take it out into the world and thrive. I attended two weeks of college with elementary education as my major. Two weeks...... and decided that it wasn't for me, but God had other plans. As I watched this film today, it struck me. God always intended for me to be a teacher...... it just wasn't the way I thought it would be. God intended to bless me with my two daughters instead. I am their teacher.
In every aspect of life parenting is hard. You teach your child to walk, chew, talk, potty train and all the essentials. You make them do homework so they have the outside work skills they need to get further ahead in life than you did. You take them to church, perhaps, to instruct them about Godly living. Parenting IS teaching, at it's core, and as a whole-life job. Without a proper teacher the child would learn little, if anything.
I am responsible for the molding and making of my children. If I mess up, it is them, not I who will suffer. Am I teaching well? Are they learning the right things from me? Am I too strict? Too permissive? Most importantly, do I teach them everyday about the Lord. Can they see my passion for my Savior oozing out of my every pore, into each nook and cranny of relationship, each interaction, every cross word and every kind? When they look back at our time together, will they say that I inspired them? What if, when they think of me, their teacher, they only see sorrow, hurt and wasted opportunities?
I think that every parent fears that they will irreparably damage their children on some level. I am less than competent on my own. All good things come from the Lord. If I have any skills as a parent, let it be known that it is because Jesus got a hold of me. If my girls look back and remember something good, I hope they know that it was God working through me. That said, I get a certain kick out of trying to inspire my children. I am not only to impart practical knowledge on my girls, but to build up their inner selves that they may know their true worth, be bold in accomplishing God's plan and gracious enough to love each person they come into contact with. I know sometimes I set a lousy example, but God called me to teach. He brought these girls into my life especially for me to minister to. God knew that I was to be their mother. I take comfort in that.
So, the challenge today is....... do you try to inspire your children to the Lord's greatness? Do you hold them back from God's plan (if it's not what you want)? Do you take on your task with daily diligence, seeking to creatively instruct, bless, challenge, lovingly speak the truth to them? Parenting is tough work and I don't honestly know why "teaching" seems more fruitful. Perhaps it is because almost anyone can think of a teacher that changed their lives..... but parenting is so..... thankless. Other mothers put you down if you don't go "all-organic-paleo-or-vegan-playdate-multilingual-education" on your kids. However, God has uniquely gifted us with each child we may have in our lives, whether to parent or not. God is purposeful. He never fails to meet his goal. My goal is to raise Godly, responsible, kind, autonomous adults who, hopefully, will look back on my instruction of them with glee as I have excited the best parts of each of my girls into becoming the wonderful creation that God so uniquely placed with me.
I wanted to be a teacher all my childhood years. To have a profound affect, impacting children's lives and giving them passion for learning and the skills to take it out into the world and thrive. I attended two weeks of college with elementary education as my major. Two weeks...... and decided that it wasn't for me, but God had other plans. As I watched this film today, it struck me. God always intended for me to be a teacher...... it just wasn't the way I thought it would be. God intended to bless me with my two daughters instead. I am their teacher.
In every aspect of life parenting is hard. You teach your child to walk, chew, talk, potty train and all the essentials. You make them do homework so they have the outside work skills they need to get further ahead in life than you did. You take them to church, perhaps, to instruct them about Godly living. Parenting IS teaching, at it's core, and as a whole-life job. Without a proper teacher the child would learn little, if anything.
I am responsible for the molding and making of my children. If I mess up, it is them, not I who will suffer. Am I teaching well? Are they learning the right things from me? Am I too strict? Too permissive? Most importantly, do I teach them everyday about the Lord. Can they see my passion for my Savior oozing out of my every pore, into each nook and cranny of relationship, each interaction, every cross word and every kind? When they look back at our time together, will they say that I inspired them? What if, when they think of me, their teacher, they only see sorrow, hurt and wasted opportunities?
I think that every parent fears that they will irreparably damage their children on some level. I am less than competent on my own. All good things come from the Lord. If I have any skills as a parent, let it be known that it is because Jesus got a hold of me. If my girls look back and remember something good, I hope they know that it was God working through me. That said, I get a certain kick out of trying to inspire my children. I am not only to impart practical knowledge on my girls, but to build up their inner selves that they may know their true worth, be bold in accomplishing God's plan and gracious enough to love each person they come into contact with. I know sometimes I set a lousy example, but God called me to teach. He brought these girls into my life especially for me to minister to. God knew that I was to be their mother. I take comfort in that.
So, the challenge today is....... do you try to inspire your children to the Lord's greatness? Do you hold them back from God's plan (if it's not what you want)? Do you take on your task with daily diligence, seeking to creatively instruct, bless, challenge, lovingly speak the truth to them? Parenting is tough work and I don't honestly know why "teaching" seems more fruitful. Perhaps it is because almost anyone can think of a teacher that changed their lives..... but parenting is so..... thankless. Other mothers put you down if you don't go "all-organic-paleo-or-vegan-playdate-multilingual-education" on your kids. However, God has uniquely gifted us with each child we may have in our lives, whether to parent or not. God is purposeful. He never fails to meet his goal. My goal is to raise Godly, responsible, kind, autonomous adults who, hopefully, will look back on my instruction of them with glee as I have excited the best parts of each of my girls into becoming the wonderful creation that God so uniquely placed with me.
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