For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God. 1 Peter 1:18-21
When I read this passage, it hit me like a ton of bricks. The disciples were taught an empty way of life by their parents; a life of works-based religion, or in many cases no religion at all. It makes me think about my own years growing up. We were a family without faith. We had no Lord, no Savior. Faith was neither spoken of (without disdain or sarcasm), nor demonstrated. And yet we went to church, until I was 9 or 10.
My parents, like so many parents these days, took the “they can choose their religion when they’re old enough” approach. Of course, when tragedy hit, as it did several times during my life, I had no where to turn: no hope, no faith, no peace. An empty way of life. My parents couldn’t provide what they didn’t have themselves. It was many years before I found the Lord.
It makes me think seriously about our responsibility as parents.
Is the way of life we’re teaching our children empty? If tragedy strikes, will they turn to us and obtain peace, help, love, and strength? Or will they turn to us and see hopelessness, anger, and dysfunction? I wonder sometimes. God, please, help us to be a strong family.
What things do you do to help strengthen your family?
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Hello! I’m Tina from Savings Corner and relatively new to Bloggy Moms. I’m a new follower and would love for you to visit my site and follow back. Thanks!
Tina @ Savings Corner recently posted..Mr Rebates Cash-Back Shopping
I came over from iFellowship. Good blog. I am glad you found God!
cfoxes33 recently posted..Its iFellowship Wednesday Blog Hop!
Thanks for the visit! I read your blog each week on iFellowship day
Your upbringing sounds so much like mine! The secret that I used while my children were at home was to always remember that being Christian was not a Sunday only activity. In whatever way possible, keep His message alive in your home every day. Family prayer, family scripture study, family evenings. Share your testimony of the Lord in every way that you can. I remember singing children’s church songs with my kids in the car or when we were doing housework. With children of their own now, they do the same!
The iFellowship Blog Hop brings such blessings. Your post has been proof of that. Thank you for evoking the memories in me. I look forward to your posts in my feed. Stop by and visit my blog when you can.
Sharon Cohen recently posted..Respecting His Heritage
Sharon: Thank you for the visit and kind words! I love iFellowship because I get to discover so many new blogs too!
God bless!
Hi! Thanks for stopping by and your sweet comments. I was also raised with no faith, going to church only on holidays and not knowing Jesus as my savior. My children are blessed to be living in a Christian home where life centers around our faith in the Lord and family worship just about every night. My 14 & 15 yr. olds attend a bible study with other kids their age up through college age from our church. My 14 yr. old’s birthday fell on the same day as the bible study and my kids were the hosts that day. The others all came over for Jake’s birthday, but had their bible study 1st before any party activities, their decision. It was so wonderful to hear them singing “Great is They Faithfulness” from the basement and thinking back about how different my 14th birthday was. God is so merciful.
I’m your newest follower now, I’d love it if you’d come back and follow me to.
Lisa xoxo
Lisa recently posted..My Most Challenging Son
Dawn I just love your blog! I allow my children to see me having my private prayer time (yes, I need it to be quiet – but I also want them to see me) with my Bible open. The other day I saw our 6 year old saying, “see Mommy, I’m having my prayer time too!
It made my day!
I’m hopping over from iFellowship – but I always enjoy your blog and come here more than just on Wednesdays!!!
Have a great rest of the week my friend!
Penny recently posted..His Words Sunday August 1
Penny: Aww you’re making me blush! I love finding new blogs and iFellowship has been amazing for helping me do that. My kids too, see me reading my Bible in the mornings, and my almost 10yo has taken to bringing his Bible to breakfast with him recently too. I love that!
Hello Dawn!
Thank for visiting my blog earlier and you have a wonderful day too!
I’m a full-time mummy recently posted..Hubbys 30th Birthday Outing
I’m so glad you came by to say hello! Thank you!
I found your website through Heart of the Matter. This a great reminder to me. My mom died suddenly on June 2nd this year. I found her in her bathroom on the floor. This has been really traumatic for me. As I’m going through this, its really hard to remind myself and my kids of the hope that we have. I’m sure I have not been a good example of that to my children. Thanks for sharing this.
Michelle: I am so sorry you lost your mom. I lost my mom to cancer when I was 22– she was 44. That’s one of the tragedies that I had to survive without Christ. I don’ t know how I did it, but for God’s amazing way of leading me, even when I wasn’t paying attention. Hang on to Him!!!
Hi,
You have a great blog here, I love it.
Thank-you for stopping by my blog.
I am following you now.
Have a blessed weekend.
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