Children are like keeping high fidelity microphones in the house. They pick up on adult conversations, new purchases, and when the routine is changed. Do not be fooled by outer appearances. Even a toddler rolling on the floor ululating notices her surroundings!
And of course, children then ask questions of what they have observed.
And when your children say to you, ‘What do you mean by this service?’ you shall say, It is the sacrifice of the Lord’s Passover, for he passed over the houses of the people of Israel in Egypt, when he struck the Egyptians but spared our houses.’” And the people bowed their heads and worshiped. ~ Exodus 12:26-27
This passage is both humorous and poignant to me as a mother. God realizes the nature of children and instructs parents to take advantage of this teachable moment. These particular verses speak of the Passover, a celebration of Israel’s freedom from slavery, yet we today are called to answer our children’s questions as well, as they observe us participate in worship or other habits that are in stark contrast to the world.
Our example is perhaps our most powerful teaching tool for our loved ones. My reactions, my attitudes, my habits will all linger much longer in the emotions and memories of my kids than most of what I say.
Yet, it is vital to know why it is we do things. Why is worship a priority in our lives? Why do we take the Lord’s Supper? Why do we live differently from others who do not know God? If I don’t know the answers myself, how can I explain to my children why we choose this path of faith?
These verses are a sobering reminder in my own busy life to slow down. In the rush of daily activities, we must choose to be available to our children, to listen to their questions, to take advantage of these opportunities to teach.
At the end of our lives, we won’t care about our stuff, our schedules or our accomplishments. We will care whether we have influenced those around us to love the same Lord for the same reasons we do.
Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash
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