I Want To Be JUST Like You!

As a mama to three, they say many things that I love to hear.

"I love you!"

"Will you pray with me?"

"Do they need to know Jesus?"

"Can you read to me?"

But there is one thing that I don't want to hear my kids say.

"I want to be JUST like you!"

The Lord had me by the choke hold during my time with Him today and I became convicted about my attitude and actions as of late. There hasn't been much peace in my heart and I am sick of my sin. It hit me. My life is a demonstration to my children how we walk by faith, live for Christ, and overcome temptation. I knew that my precious children were going to act like I was if I wasn't careful. 

Then the Lord hit me, our goal as parents is to raise our children to be Christ-like. I want my children to be like Christ. Although, they will never be Christ, they should always strive to be more and more like Him each and everyday. I don't want my kids to be like me. I want them to want to be like Christ. If I pass from this life before them, I want them to strive to be more like Christ, not like me. I am a fallen sinner with many faults. Yes, I want them to love me and things about them, but I want them to strive to be like Christ...if there are traits in my life that reflect Christ...those are the ones that I want them to imitate. This is a challenge to me as a mother and a Christian...reflect Christ and point others to Him, not myself. 

"Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;  do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.  Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,"  Philippians 2:1-5