Writing about the quote:
“God has delivered us, He has parted waters for us, He has made water gush forth from rocks and sent us our own manna from heaven. He has brought us into our own Promised Land. Will I miss the opportunity to tell the story to our children?”
Ann Voskamp, Holy Experience
Since the freedom from Egyptian slavery, Jews have celebrated this historical event by having a feast called the ‘Seder’. The word ‘Seder’ means ‘order’ and refers to the order of historical events recalled in the Passover meal as well as the meal itself. (Holiday Spot)
What is your personal Promise Land? Now I know God is not done with me until I see Him face to face. God has done a lot of things in my life. BUT
What if I fail to tell my kids how God really worked through my marriage and how God brought us closer together during the difficult times.
Or I fail to mention how I believe God breathed life into my first son because he was born to early and not breathing?
What if I am quiet about how the Lord took our mistakes and our sins and made them useful to bring Glory to him?
If I do fail in these areas, then I think I fail in parenthood.
For my son, we retell the story of his birth every year. How he wanted to come out too early and his lungs were not developed. The nurses had given up on him, but not until the last second when his foot shot up did we know he was going to make it. I tell him God has a special plan for his life, He proved it right then and there.
When my boys are older I will share some of the struggles we had while being married. I am praying they will learn from some of our mistakes.
I also let my kids know about times I have failed, or have not followed God’s will. But despite my sin and failures, God was able to make it something beautiful through the struggles. What Satan had meant for evil, God meant for good. I tell them all the time. As they grow and become young men, they will hear more details of the stories.
This is how I tell the stories of God’s blessings, God’s justice, God’s mercy, and most importantly God’s forgiveness. These are the stories I will pass down, just like Passover when we remember the freedom of slavery and God bringing his people to the Promise Land. I will re-tell my personal stories to my kids so they to can learn how to break out of any slavery they may find themselves in.
Head on over to Loni’s at Joy In The Morning, she is hosting “In Other Words” this week.
Related posts:
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
MiPa 11.28.06 at 9:23 am
beautifully said. thank you
eph2810 11.28.06 at 9:43 am
Laurel, I think this is the best way to tell the story about our merciful God. Tell them how He has led us through the rough times and the good times. That God is real and not the big man in the sky.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts this morning.
Leslie 11.28.06 at 9:52 am
You are so right!
Amydeanne 11.28.06 at 10:21 am
ahhh yes! this is why I call my oldest Haven.. she was God’s Haven in my life when she was born!
very wonderful post!
Cyndi 11.28.06 at 12:01 pm
Great thoughts. We need to speak it… give it voice. I believe that’s part of the image of our Creator that is stamped upon us. Thank you for the reminder today!
Loni 11.28.06 at 12:15 pm
Precious. Very beautifully written. Thanks for sharing a peek into your heart and life.
Linda 11.28.06 at 12:59 pm
I think it is wonderful that you are so open, honest and vulnerable with your sons. Too often we try to put a better face on things so our children will think everything is just fine. As you wisely say, they can learn and grow through the honest sharing of our own journey with the Lord.
Heather 11.28.06 at 11:18 pm
I am being a wimp because I am tired and still need to do some writing and only writing now to say I loved what you wrote but do not have time to comment on it sufficiently. I have had this post open all day and still haven’t had time to think out what I want to say. I need to turn off my computer so I didn’t want to forget to let you know how much I appreciate what you wrote.