There are days when you wake up grumpy, and other days you let him sleep in.  Ever had kids or family members like that? I have, especially when they became teenagers and their body was bigger than their brain. Honestly, sometimes we wonder as parents whether or not it’s worth it and if we are having any sort of influence on our kids. To be frank we can even feel like giving up with them, especially when the only response you receive is “UGH.”

Well just recently I was privileged to reflect on the one who never gave up on me and literally helped change the trajectory of my life. This person showed me what a true follower of Jesus looked like. It was my amazing Mum. Yes, I confess that as a teenager I let her down, lied to her, faked a sicky and often disobeyed her.

At the vulnerable age of 15, I looked for acceptance and made some bad decisions whilst surveying people and searching for inspirational lifestyles to imitate. I saw many who promised good and even said a lot of good things but couldn’t back it up by their actions or lifestyle. At that time I saw my own mother’s consistent and constant love through the many trials that we faced as a family dealing with my Dad’s stroke. My mum’s example affected me and the truth is folks, “More is caught than taught.” Maybe you have heard the saying “Preach the gospel at all times. Use words if necessary.” My mum lived out God’s love through word and deed and I saw it, noticed it, desired it and tasted it for myself.

See, my mum’s life was extremely tough, but she never stopped loving and forgiving people, often in the face of unreturned love. For example, her own son said to her face, ‘you’re not my ….. mother, Nan is!” and left home at 14. She patiently loved and waited for years before he would realise her love, and eventually her love won through to his heart as well.

Therefore, may I inspire you as parents to let love rule and never give up doing as Hebrews 10:24 says “spur one another onto love and good deeds.” My mum passed away three weeks ago, and in reflection I realised that she showed me how true love lives – what God’s love is like. She loved Jesus and I responded to His love towards me as well, just like mum. Nothing came close to this love and at 15, I was transformed when I asked the same Jesus she loved to forgive me and take hold of my life. From her example and Jesus’ influence upon my life, I grew to live and love like mum, which was just like Jesus.

Eventually, I met my beautiful wife Sharon (who works in GCC Hospitality) because of this unconditional love. My boys have both seen and followed God’s love and it all came about because it was faithfully delivered to us through Mum’s example. I have no doubt there were times when she wondered, “Is it all worth it?”

So folks, please take a petal from her rose and never give up. Keep praying. Keep allowing your loving relationship with your child to dominate even the rules and they will be influenced by you. It may take a while, but it is so worth it. Jesus said, “So don’t hide your light! Let it shine brightly before others so that the commendable things you do will shine as light upon them, and then they will give their praise to your Father in heaven.”

Praying for you parents. Please come and pray with us on Tuesday mornings at the Parent Prayer Meeting in YBLOCK from 8:30am – 9am and let’s see God do amazing things in us and our kids.

Pastor Rob