In The Quiet of the Moment or In the Middle of it All

As the boys were beginning their schoolwork today, we talked about how good our manners are.  My lesson outline asked the question, "What kind of manners do you think Jesus has?"

I asked my boys, "Do you want to have manners like Jesus?  They both replied with the Sunday school answer, "Yes!"  But then I asked them, "How do you know you want to be like Jesus?"  They didn't know for sure if they did or not when I brought up the conflicting question and caused them to reconsider their feelings.  I told them they needed to learn more about Jesus' character in order to know how to be like Him.  I told Aiden he needed to read his bible more in order to learn who Jesus was while he was on earth and who he is today.  

Then I was taken back by something he said.  "I never see you read your Bible, mom."

My heart sank deep in my chest.  I felt like a complete failure.  I have Bibles and books stacked on every shelf in my home.  But I am in the habit of doing my quiet time with my personal Bible without my children on my own time late at night while they are asleep.  After all, that is the only "quiet time" I usually find.  We learn about the Lord together all the time.  But he reminded me how important it is to read and study the Word in their presence to set the example for them.  It was a real shock to me actually that he "never" sees me reading my Bible.  But then, after I thought about it... I realized he is probably right!

I can't expect them to do something at such a young age if I, myself, am not doing it in front of them for them to see.  I always think of quiet time as an escape from the chaos of my day, but I should see it as part of my day with my kids.  Instead of looking for the quiet of my day we, as mamas, should show who we are while in the middle of it all.

Just like teaching them to tie their shoes so they do not trip, or teaching them responsibility by having them take out the trash, we need to teach them to learn about their Creator on their own so when they are older it will become second nature, and they will know where they can turn in all things.

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

                                                                                                          Proverbs 22:6