Over-Parenting...

Suggested Reading;  Job 1:1-15

One of my daughter's favorite movies is Cheaper By the Dozen 2. If you've seen the movie, Steve Martin's character becomes very competitive with an old rival and engages in a family-vs-family competition. The rival is one of those really annoying parents. You know, the ones who over-parent, the ones who won't let the child out of sight, who get onto them if they look like they are having a bad thought, who make sure their children only eat certified organic foods (only the ones that are tasteless), and generally don't know how to let their kids be kids.

For some reason, that stereotype came to mind as I was reading the story of Job. Job is described as a man who was "blameless and upright," who "feared God and shunned evil." But Job is also described as a very active parent. Even once his children are grown enough to have their own places, Job would call them together after a party and, after the fashion of the day, "purify them" because Job thought, "Perhaps my children have sinned, having cursed God in their hearts" (Job 1:5, HCSB) Apparently, Job did this regularly. As I kid, I always looked at Job like a paranoid mother who sprays you with Lysol every time you came back from a friend's house just to make sure you didn't bring back any germs. But the passage and everything in it stress that Job was a blameless and upright man, that this was right in the eyes of scripture.

When Job purified his children, he wasn't just trying to make sure that all of the rituals were performed so that they would technically be ok with God. Job was interceding on their behalf, offering burnt offerings for each of them as a mediator and as the one responsible for their upbringing. Job was concerned about the attitudes of their heart and their relationship with God ("cursing God in their heart"). As parents, we have the same obligation that Job had to intercede for our children, to pray for them, seeking God's best for them and, I think, letting them see us do it. We should be concerned about the way our children relate to God and certain that they have been taught what it looks like to be humble and contrite before God.

Unceasing prayer and continuously teaching our children the things of God is not over-parenting. In fact, anything less is under-parenting. Whether they want it or not, our children need it.

Beating the Bad Guy With a Sewing Machine

Suggested Reading: Nehemiah 3

The 80's gave us a unique brand of comedies. One of my favorites was a flick called The Three Amigos. Chevy Chase, Martin Short and Steve Martin all play silent-film actors who specialize in playing Mexican cowboy characters. When the studio fires them, they receive an invitation from a fan in need of help who doesn't realize that the movies are make-believe. The Amigos show up planning to do a short gig and skip town only to discover that they are facing down a real villain named El Guapo who is anything but handsome (guapo means handsome for my non-Spanish speaking friends out there). The Amigos find themselves outgunned and ready to desert the village El Guapo has come to terrorize, when they finally decide to dig their heels in. They rally the village together and try to take stock of the resources they have at their command. Martin Short's character asks the group of mostly old ladies and ancient men what they can do. "We can sew!" one of the ladies answers enthusiastically as the Amigos frown. But then they come up with a plan. When El Guapo returns, he finds an entire town of Amigos in newly sewn costumes, all ready to fight him.

Of course, it is a movie and so the ridiculous plan works. But the village's strategy reminds me of Nehemiah chapter 3. Nehemiah had returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the city-wall which had been destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar. He rallies the people to the cause and each person takes up the task where he lives. Chapter 3 lists out the areas where the various families worked, beginning with the Sheep Gate and then filling out the circle of the wall all the way back around to the Sheep Gate. Everyone who worked is mentioned, and even one group of nobles is called out for thinking they are too good to work.

In both stories, seemingly insurmountable tasks are accomplished simply because people do what they are capable of doing. The life of the body of Christ is supposed to be the same. God has given each of us different gifts for the purpose of building up God's kingdom and God's people. Sometimes, though, we begin to see our gifts and tasks as insignificant. Maybe we don't preach or lead worship or run the building committee. Maybe we think we are getting too old or that we are too young, too weak, or not knowledgeable enough. Sure, we have our own gifts and abilities. Sure we can spend time in prayer or bake cookies but…is that really enough to make a difference?

In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul discusses the various gifts that the Spirit distributes to each of us, declaring that we are each members of the body of Christ and that each of our gifts serve a purpose. When considering that some gifts or roles may seem less important than others Paul says, "In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary." (1 Corinthians 12:22, NLT). Your spiritual gift, your role in the body of Christ, is not insignificant. Every gift is necessary.

Never underestimate how God can use the gifts given to you. You may not think much of yourself, but as a member of the body, the gift you've been given is essential to God's plan.