Built on a Rock, Ready to Roll
“The best way moms can equip their children for life’s transitions and the inevitable storms that come is to teach them how to build their foundation on the solid rock that is Jesus.”
“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” Matthew 7:24-27
You may have heard or read this passage before, or maybe even have heard a sermon on these wise, foundational words of Jesus, but it is my prayer this week that we look at them in a new way and apply them to our lives as moms, especially during times of transitions.
I know we don’t all have kids starting a new school year, but our children, at some point in their lives, will have times of change and newness. Maybe a new day care, a new school, a family move, or entering adulthood and starting jobs. These transitions can bring a lot of new feelings, fears, uncertainties, worries, but also a wonderful excitement and an opportunity to form new routines.
Because the newness brings uncertainty of what’s to come, it’s so important that our foundation, and our children’s foundation, be built on firm ground, so when the storms of life arrive we’re ready for them. We could put our hope and trust in the world around us, hoping that trials and hardships will never show up, but we’d sink and fall when the storms come. Or we can build a foundation of trust and confidence in God, and even when the storms come, we know where our help comes from, (Psalm 121:1-2) and we know Who is holding us and our children in His hands.
Jesus says we need to HEAR His words and DO them to be like the wise man on a strong foundation. Jesus said these words at the end of His Sermon on the Mount, which was full of wisdom and guidance on how to be His follower. But there are so many more words we can hear and do. 2 Timothy 3:16 says scripture is breathed out by God and given to us as a guide to right standing with Him. Psalm 119:105 says that God’s words light up the path we should take. Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us that we are to trust in God and let Him guide us by following His ways. All throughout the Bible are commands from God, wisdom, guidance, knowledge and encouragement for how to put our full trust in and build our foundation on Jesus. (Mentioned scriptures have been paraphrased)
The best way moms can equip their children for life’s transitions and the inevitable storms that come is to teach them how to build their foundation on the solid rock that is Jesus. There’s no right way to do this, and a big part of it is planting little seeds that will seem meaningless in the moment. A new season (hint, hint…back to school?) is a great time to start a routine of reading the Bible together, listening to worship music on the way to school, praying together, talking about foundational truths of Jesus and the gospel, or whatever else the Spirit nudges you to do to help build little foundations.
You might say your child is too young (they’re not) or too old (also not) to instill a foundation in. Every scripture said to an infant is God’s word being spoken over them. Every loving, joy filled conversation with a teen or adult child is one more chance to pour God’s love into them. And there is major power in a praying mom.
Today, reflect on ways you’ve planted seeds to teach your child to build their foundation on Jesus. How’s YOUR foundation? Has it been built on rock? Or sand? This week we’ll look at a few foundational truths that we can use to plant seeds that will become building blocks for the foundation needed to fully trust in Jesus.
Faith Follow-Through:
This week, take some time to grow in motherhood and faith:
Tuesday:
Read Philippians 4:6-7 – “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Plant a seed: when anxieties creep in, one foundational truth we can equip our children with is that we don’t need to carry the weight of worry. Teaching our children to take all their cares, worries, anxieties, and fears to Jesus will set them up for success when these feelings come on. Jesus cares so much about the things we care about. And when we go to Him with grateful hearts, we receive supernatural peace over our hearts and minds. Teaching children this truth, and living it out in our own lives, will be a building block for the foundation needed to fully trust in Jesus.
Ask the Holy Spirit to give you a little wisdom and a nudge for how you should plant this seed in YOUR specific child. Maybe you’ll pray this verse over them, have them memorize the verse, have a family conversation, or something deeper. Let God be the guide.
Wednesday:
Read Isaiah 26:3 – “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.”
Plant a seed: transitions can be made easier and more manageable when we practice the foundational truth of keeping our eyes, hearts, and minds fixed on Jesus. We looked at this verse a few weeks ago, and I want to remind you that keeping our minds on God doesn’t mean worldly peace at all times. Its a promise of God’s peace, which we’ll recieve when we’re focused on Him, His ways, His plans and His Word. That peace will look different depending on your situation, but it is a promise that God will be with you in the storms. Keeping minds stayed on God is something that will need to be taught, but will have a huge impact on building up a foundation.
Ask the Holy Spirit to give you a little wisdom and a nudge for how you should plant this seed in YOUR specific child. Maybe you’ll pray this verse over them, have them memorize the verse, have a family conversation, or something deeper. Let God be the guide.
Written by Cathrine, mom of 4
