Teaching my young children to dress themselves in the morning takes patience. I painstakingly waited as they learn to manipulate buttons, zippers, and shoelaces. However, by far the most agonizing aspect of the morning ritual of getting dressed is the statement, "I can't find anything to wear." As a mother, I realize this statement doesn't mean there is nothing in the drawers and closets, nor does it mean my child has not looked hard enough. What they really are saying is they think the clothes available to them are not good enough for them to wear.
As an adult, I dress myself in the same fashion. I waste my time manipulating the outward appearance because I worry about what other people will think. What about going to the closet of God's Word and choosing to dress myself according to His wardrobe. "Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness" (Colossians 3:12-14). Do I desire to dress in the "clothes" God has given me, or do I continue to "not find anything to wear"?
Becoming more Christ-like is the ultimate goal for me as a home schooling parent. The Lord does not look on the outward appearance of man, but at the heart, as when Samuel was led by the Lord to anoint David to be king. Choosing to dress myself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, and love is what He can use the most to influence my children and teach them how to live godly lives.
So what will I put on to wear this morning? I will look to His Word and find the clothes that fit and reflect God's character to my family and my world. All the academics I teach will not have as lasting of a value as modeling the love of Jesus Christ in my words and actions. "But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof" (Romans 13:14).
Father, thank You for giving me the opportunity to dress in the character of Christ. Show me those areas in which I have forgotten to put on the "clothes" You have provided. Help me to reflect Your Son in all I do and say this day. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.
Monday, July 26, 2010
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