The Multiplication Process

 I remember when we first found out we were expecting our Bethany Kristine, our little girl that went on before us to heaven.  We often heard the comment that we were "adding" to our family.  Then, we had Joshua, Elisabeth and Brenna and we heard how we were adding some more.  And then we really heard it a bunch as we "added" Silas, Callie and Micah.

But, as I watch my kids grow, I am noticing something.  Parenting really isn't about addition.  It's more about multiplication.  You see the effort we put into our children does multiply.  I am seeing the fruit of that now.  

I have tried to instill in my children a love for God's Word.  And I see that that is being multiplied.  

I have tried to instill in them a love for the ministry.  That is being multiplied now as they each serve with such passion and fervor.  It's so inpsiring to me! 

 I have tried to instill in them the importance of family.  That is being multiplied as I see them love their spouses and be so dedicated and loyal.  

I have tried to instill in them the importance of serving God together with your family in the ministry.  I see that being multiplied as they work bus routes with their spouses, clean the church with their children, and serve together with their budding families.  

I can't explain it, but God is multiplying all those efforts and doing a mighty work.

If we aren't careful that multiplication process works the negative way too.  Those words said in a haste, a little bit of hypocrisy, a tongue ready to complain of others, or our frustration in things out of our control multiplies in the lives of our children.  We can see it as they speak and interact with others.  Has one of your children ever said something and it hits you that they sound just like you?  It's sobering, isn't it?  Those times they see us put ourselves first, that multiplies and they believe they should be number one themselves.  That selfishness comes out and multiplies.  

I said that "if we aren't careful...."  One way to be careful about our parenting is to make things right. We will mess up.  When we speak harshly, or make a decision in our parenting that we later regret, then we must make things right, ask forgivness and be very real with our children.  God then pours His mercy and grace over our relationship.  He cancels out the wrong we've done WHEN we get things right.  It also does something amazing in the hearts of children when they see us humble ourselves, admit our wrong, and pray to do better.   

Please understand the heart of this post.  I am not trying to brag about my mothering.  The Lord and my children know that I've made so many mistakes along the way and still do!  So I am not wanting to come across as building me up. But I have recognized that when we follow God's Word and have a desire to please Him, He does give rewards.  I love reading Psalm 19 and about how good God's Word is.  It's perfect, pure, makes us wise.  It's so rich in description!  Then it says in verse 11 "Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward."  He does give rewards.  And grace.  Lots and lots of grace!  And we see this as our actions and deeds are multiplied in the lives our children.  God truly blesses our efforts.

I find it fascinating as I watch this process happening.  God is so very good.  And always faithful.