I was just talking with a friend who is making a bold move of faith. She is quitting her job!
As an occupational therapist, that's giving up a significant part of her family's income. Why would she do this after so many years of college to prepare her for working in her field of study? Why would she be willing to cut finances so drastically after proving herself in the workplace for all these years? The answer can be found in one word: motherhood!
Nothing changes your life like a baby. For the first time in your life, you have to be completely responsible for another human's survival..a tiny human who can't do anything for his or herself. That in itself is quite a daunting task, but what many don't realize is our job doesn't stop at just keeping them alive. We are shaping the next generation when we raise our children. We are their primary spiritual leaders, and that may be the most important title we ever own.
I recently watched an interview with Billy Graham's mother that was taped many years ago. She was a strong Christian leader, and by all accounts had raised her children first and foremost to love The Lord. But did she know she was raising "The" Billy Graham? Maybe the most influential and long-standing spiritual leader of the generation, standing beside presidents and dignitaries from all over the world?
I'm in no position to answer what God may have revealed to Mrs. Graham all those years ago, but what if she had not trained Billy for what he might do for this world and for God's Kingdom? What if she had never led him to seek God's word in a trial, or to pray about his life's path? What if Mrs. Graham had just simply provided a home and nice things to her children, and maybe even love and attention as well, but no spiritual leadership and no example of faith?
Billy's testimony doesn't just speak of how God used him. His children are all involved in ministry, as well as some of his grandchildren. Just think how many people have been touched by these generations of leaders! I can't imagine how many souls are in Heaven today at the feet of Jesus Himself because of this family and their faithfulness.
Billy Graham's mother may not be where it all started. Her mother or father and their mothers or fathers may have led them to The Truth so that they could lead their young to Christ. Each person who invested into the other has a hand in Billy's ministry, and a part of each soul who was saved because of it. Our spiritual leadership over our children will have repercussions for generations to come as well.
In my own opinion, I bet Mrs. Graham never knew how instrumental Billy would be in this world for God. I bet she was an ordinary mom, like me and you, who simply made choices for her family in obedience to God Himself. That's where it starts, and then God does the rest.
I'm proud of my friend's leap of faith in being obedient to what God has called her to. I am excited to see how God will bless her family, and I have no doubt her little baby boy will be better because she is leading him on this journey. Who knows, she may be raising the next Billy Graham.
These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
3 John 1:4 (NIV)
I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.
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