#onebigtruth

Today I'm participating in a fun link-up with Courtney's blog called #onebigtruth. The premise is simple: share a before and after photo of yourself revealing a big truth that God has taught you recently --or over your lifetime! It's all about being encouraged by each other and visibly seeing God moving through our lives. 

So here's what I've been learning over the past year:

Like any well-meaning mom, my desire is to show Christ to my son. To live it, to talk about it, to learn each day. And I felt like I was pretty well-prepared and well-stocked for such a mission. We have the kid Bible, the children's devotional book, the BabyFaith dvd's, the scripture-based lullabies, the wall art, the daily prayer time......... Basically, you name it. We had it.

Well.

It didn't take long for me to come to the realization that instead of me spending countless hours pouring God's Word into my child and "growing" him in the knowledge of Christ, I was the one who was really learning and growing. That's not to say that we still aren't using every opportunity to teach Isaac about God, but the tables have certainly been turned on me. Parenthood has definitely been more about making me holy than anything else.

And I've even noticed growing in different ways with different seasons. In the beginning, when Isaac was brand new, I marveled at God's creation. I soaked in the new life and praised Him for my perfect son. I caught a glimpse of what God's unconditional love was truly like when I was blessed with a child that I was am fiercely in love with. Never before had I experienced such depth to love and once again I marveled at the depth with which God must love me.

Later, when my boy was a little older and things weren't all rosy cheeks and peaceful naps, I learned quickly that I was not the patient, self-controlled person I had always believed myself to be. Afternoons full of tears and frustration led me to a deeper understanding of how God must view his children when they deliberately choose to follow other things. I wanted so desperately for Isaac to choose the "good" way or the "right" things, and even when he didn't, I still had to love him. And be patient with him. And continue to lovingly encourage him. Oh how vast must God's patience be for me!

Now, I am learning what joy truly is. Watching him learn and discover new treasures thrills my heart. His giggles and laughter are so very sweet to hear. He fills my every cell with joy and I am astonished at the thought that I can bring this much joy to my creator.

So while I thought I was teaching my son about Christ, as it turns out, Christ was using my son to teach me more about Himself.



What is your #onebigtruth?