There are limited moments in our daily lives. In this day of the smartphone, the countless activities with the kids, the full-time job, the dinner preparation, and sleep (if we are lucky!), we often are not intentional with how we spend our moments. But think about this – moments are here and gone in a flash. We only have 1,440 minutes every single day. How are you spending each of your minutes? Are you being intentional? Are you taking advantage of the teachable moments that arise with your children or nieces/nephews/other children in your life?
I love Lynn’s story about her prayer bus. She took what would normally be a mundane daily activity – driving the kids to school – and turned it into a time to connect with her kids. She prayed over their upcoming day with them and through this activity, her kids saw that her faith is real. She was able to teach them to rely on God and to turn to God for their needs as they went into their school day. What an incredible gift to her kids!
But we must be ready for these moments. And sometimes we must create them if they are not spontaneously popping up on their own.
Are you ready to drop everything when your son/daughter/niece/nephew/granddaughter/grandson/cousin/any other child in your life drops a teachable moment right in your lap? Often we are so consumed with worldly things and are not so attuned to what is right in front of us. We do not realize it right away…and then the moment has passed. The teachable moment is gone.
So, I challenge you this week to be alert to the teachable moments that will come into your life. Pray that the Lord will open your eyes and your heart to these moments. Seek Him for how to respond; in all situations, show love and grace.
Let’s Pray: Lord, we ask that You open our eyes, ears, minds, and hearts to the teachable moments that our children present to us each day. Help us to minister to their needs as they arise and to give them wise biblical counsel as You guide and direct us. Help us to faithfully guide these children you have entrusted to us, Lord, whether it is through our biological birthing of them or whether it is through adoption, familial relationship, friendship, or any other relationship. In Jesus name, Amen!
Your Assignment: Tell us about a teachable moment you have experienced with a child in your life.
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Jennifer, that was just great! I loved how you included all kids, not just our own. You gave good advice to remember – -drop everything for teachable moments! My teachable moment was the same as Lynn when my girls were growing up. They have told me they knew I would be in my favorite chair reading the Bible when they got up in the morning. (A picture is worth a thousand words to children.)
I just love that picture, Martha! And thank you for your email, it warmed my heart today! <3
so true, jennifer… "We do not realize it right away…and then the moment has passed. The teachable moment is gone…." oh how quickly it happens. but we can ask the Lord to grab our attention and then have confidence that He will! one way that i have endeavored to build a righteous habit in the children i get to be with is to encourage them to stop…pray…ask God when they cannot find "something" that they are looking for. oftentimes (just like us!!) it takes much repetitiveness to instill this habit but oh-so-worth-it! oh, and of course there is teaching them to wait and listen for His answer! 😉
Jennifer, I really like the reminder of how many minutes there are in our day. How many of those have we wasted? I know there are some I have. I will strive to use mine better.
Even if we have wasted some of our moments, God will give us more!! We definitely have to be intentional about each of our minutes!
I love that the Lord provides us with many teachable moments, so even if we miss one, He will give us another one! 🙂
Jennifer that was such a good reminder! My kids are grown, but I have other little ones in my life. It's been a long time since I had little ones so this is a good reminder for those I have in my path now! Thank you!!
You are very welcome, Donna! I think it's a good reminder since many of us have kids of many ages in our lives, whether they are related to us or not!
The Bible says to "teach them as you go". The "as you go" doesn't stop just because a child grows up. As we walk out our faith in front of others, we will be teaching people for generations to come.
Good point, Teresa!
Well my kids are grown now but I still have teachable moments to share with them as things come up and even though one of them are married now she still respects me enought to listen because she knows I won't share unless God is guiding me to….and I have kids in our family or at church that I try my best to give the same teachable moments to…thank Jennifer this was grea reminders for us al…
Thanks for sharing, Bev! What an amazing relationship you have with your daughter! <3