The First Messengers
- Brooke Singleton
- Mar 8
- 5 min read
“Because how can our kids believe God will help them, believe He is ever-present, ever-interested, and ever in love with them, if they don’t first hear?”
“But how can they call on him for help if they’ve not yet believed? And how can they believe in the One they’ve not yet heard of? And how can they hear the message of life if there is no one there to proclaim it? And how can the message be proclaimed if messengers have yet to be sent? That’s why the scriptures say: how beautiful are the feet of those who proclaim the joyful news of peace and of good things to come.” Romans 10:14-15
We are our child’s first messenger of the gospel.
Can we just sit in that for a minute.
It’s brought me to tears as I’ve thought about it…what an insane gift. What an unbelievable privilege—that we get to be the bearer of the gospel to the most important souls we will personally ever know. Because of what our Savior has accomplished, we can hold out to them the path to life, not just how to get by, but abundant life. We get to be the very first person to invite our children to know the Lover of their souls.
A cool thing about these verses is that the effects are in reverse. They start with the very real occurrence of a person needing to call for help, and then play it backwards until we realize WE are the ones sent to help them. WE are the messengers appointed by God to proclaim the joyful news of peace to them. To our kids.
Because how can our kids believe God will help them, believe He is ever-present, ever-interested, and ever in love with them, if they don’t first hear? We are the first ones to speak about God, pray with our kids, and introduce them to scripture and how it weighs on our everyday lives. We are the first to model faith, however imperfectly. Living our faith is so very important, but sharing truth matters just as much.
I’ve heard from more moms than I can count that they take their kids to church so church can teach them about Jesus. And I totally get that, because the community of Christ has SO much value. But the common theme has been that these beautiful moms don’t think they're smart enough, not biblically knowledgeable enough to teach their own kids. But we, mommas, have been sent by God, we were designed to be the first messengers to these brand-new souls. You and I were sent to build a framework of what it is to know and walk with Christ. With the Holy Spirit, we are more than able because He will equip us. Perfection is not the standard. We don’t need to speak Hebrew or Greek and know how to use a concordance (though concordances are my jam, I think you’d love one), or how to give a biblical exegesis.
God just wants you, and wants you to trust Him and be loved by Him and to marvel in the finished work of Christ on the cross…and then to gush about God's love for you to your kids. To share how His ways are wise and best. As simple as that, and the Lord will move. We are the feet of those who bring good news when we walk into our kid’s rooms to pray, when we drive them to church, when we go to them to pray their fear away and momma. How beautiful are the feet of a mother who brings good news.
And if your kids are teens who think the gospel’s antiquated, or adults who have never seen faith in action…it is NEVER too late as long as we have breath in our lungs.
We’re going to walk through some faith steps this week that I hope will leave us encouraged for all that is possible and even probable, with our powerful God.
Faith Follow-Through:
This week, take some time to grow in motherhood and faith:
Tuesday:
TAKE AN ACCOUNT. Today we ask Jesus to help us take an honest look at where and how we’re currently sharing the gospel, so we can move faithfully forward. Mom, remember there’s SO much grace to move toward Jesus. In fact, us feeling a stirring at all is proof the Holy Spirit is at work for our better and for the good of our kids. Where can Jesus be invited into your daily life and interactions with your kids?
If you have littles: momma those little sponges hang on every word you say. Of course you are the deliverer of the most important message, because you’re their most important person! Do you talk about Jesus in every situation, bless your meals, pray at dinner? Any place is a great start!
If you have teens, it may not seem as easy, but your faithfulness DOES have an impact, even if they’d never tell you. This goes for adult kids too; no matter the age, let your faith be visible. No matter where you find yourself, it’s never too late to start. Never. Romans reminds us that hearing the message matters but God alone changes hearts, so let’s spend time today praying that our children would understand the gospel as it’s revealed to them, and believe it to their core. Ask Jesus to show you where you can invite Him into your day and to give you the words your kids need.
Wednesday:
SPEAK THE GOSPEL. Today we practice what we talked about yesterday. We’re going to speak the gospel. Maybe you already do this and things are going well…but I guess we can’t speak the gospel too much, right? Today, practice turning your everyday moments into faith moments. Use your normal situations and interactions with your kids–like fearful moments or sin and discipline–to bring up the power and faithfulness of Jesus and His gospel of grace and purpose. Or one of my very favorites, when something beautiful pops up, point them to the creator; marvel at Gods creativity in a butterfly, or remind your teens about God’s faithful provision as you pay for something. At first this might feel clunky or fake, but before you know it, you and everyone else will have their attention honed to the Lord.
Don’t forget that He will use our daily faith and willingness.
Thursday:
Written by Brooke, the first messenger to 3
