In taking time to reflect on my ministry to my children, I realised this was something that I had thought about even before my children were born. On our wedding day, both Graeme and I declared: 'We promise to make our home a place where all shall be aware of the abiding presence of God, and where those under our influence shall be taught the truths of the gospel, encouraged to seek Christ as Saviour and supported in the commitment of their lives to the service of God.' Although, when making this promise we were talking about all the people who would come into our home, in my mind I was also thinking about any children that we would have. Some things I see as a ministry to my children happen very naturally, other things take more planning and effort. I remember the first night I was alone in the hospital ward with our first child, Joshua. He started to cry and I picked him up and rocked him as I sang 'Jesus loves me! This I know, for the Bible tells me so'. Not something that I planned, it just happened naturally.
My ministry at home falls into two categories: organised and ordinary. There are certain organised things we do every day as part of our routine. We always have prayers together at bedtime. My two younger children - Rebekah and Luke - have a Bible story, prayers and then we sing some choruses. With the two older boys - Joshua and Isaac - we use a devotions book and have a chat about what we've read. Then, we each say a prayer and sing a song together. It has been a joy to see them develop in their prayer life - from simple prayers to now being able to speak to God about whatever is on their minds.
Recently Isaac prayed: 'God, you are a great big God. I'm really glad you are bigger than me because that means you can hold me in your hands. The whole world must be really heavy for you, but you are so strong.'
Then there are things that are the ordinary parts of ministry in the home. The things that happen every day: being together as a family; being a good Christian example to our children. We can tell children many different things, for example, read the Bible every day, have good attitudes, don't shout at your brother and sister and be kind to each other. But unless they see us backing up those words with our actions, our words are empty and they will not learn to put these things into practice.
My daily prayer is for my children to see Jesus in me and that the example I give them will not hinder their relationship with God.
Of course, I am well aware that the best way to minister to my children is to pray for them daily. I know that God loves my children far more than I ever could, so I pray for them, continually giving them over to God. When Joshua and Isaac were born I always prayed that they would find Jesus as their friend and saviour at a young age and I thank God they have given their hearts to Jesus. I continue to make that same prayer for Rebekah and Luke, along with many other prayers for their futures. As time goes on, my ministry to my children will change but this prayer ministry will not. I will continue to bring them to God daily, asking that he will keep them close to him.
The greatest blessing for me is that my ministry has a ripple effect beyond our home - to friends at school and nursery and to other families that come to the corps. I'm glad when my children bring friends home from school and they see there's something different about us. Just the other week one of the children that comes round said to me: 'You're really nice, you know... I love coming here.' The odd thing was that at that moment I was actually telling everyone very firmly to tidy up the mess of toys! Their enjoyment reflects God's presence in our home.
I have been privileged to share with some families that come to the corps about the ways we pray and read the Bible together as a family and to pass on some of the books that we use. It is then wonderful to listen to their stories about sharing together within their families.
In writing this article, I have laughed and cried at different memories that have come into my mind. Most of all, though I have been challenged to think again about the example that I am to my children, I am encouraged to continue praying for them. I pray that readers will be challenged to be that true Christian example to their children and will be encouraged to be constant in prayer.
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