Raising Heroes

 I don't know who else needs to hear this today, but I definitely did! I even sent my dear friends a polo talking their ear off about this. 

I've been reading through Hebrews and while this hasn't been my "go to" book for parenting advice or encouragement, God spoke loud to my momma heart this morning. Between the excitement and extra morning caffeine I've got to share. 

Many of us are likely familiar with Hebrews 11 and the "Heroes of Faith" contained therein. In my own life I've read this and thought, "I'd like that kind of faith. I'd like to be a Noah, Moses, or Abraham." Oh, but sweet friends, I've missed a hidden (or not so hidden) gem in focusing on my shortcomings. 

Look at verse 23. "By FAITH Moses' PARENTS hid him for three months after he was born because they saw he was no ordinary child and they were not afraid of the king's edict." 

So often we want to be the Moses, David, or Gideon, but perhaps our calling is to be the parents to raise up the heroes of faith. Isn't that heroic as well? Moses' parents weren't the "star" of the show, but they were seen by God, they were faithful. And the story, his story, wouldn't have been the same without them. 

They rose above fear. They had courage to go against the culture. They risked everything to protect their child, whom they recognized as a gift. I don't know about you, but I can't hide my newborn for an hour during a church service, much less for three months! This wasn't easy! Nor will our calling be easy, but it's valuable. It's priceless. They recognized God makes no "ordinary" children. They had faith in God's plan for their child. 

We may not be the "star" of the story. We may not be the one to write the books or about whom books are written. We may not be the one God uses to save a people group. But our children may! Oh, that just does something to this momma's heart. 

My purpose may be to take courage, take risks, and pray for purpose and life over my children. The heroic and God honoring nature of my faith may be trusting in Jesus to perfect my imperfect faith (see chapter 12) as I seek to raise imperfect children He uses for his glory to influence the next generation. It's a hard stretch to imagine my sassy, eye rolling four year old or my booger eating six year old in such a role, but I know in my heart of hearts HE CAN, HE WILL use them. 

It may be our children that conquer kingdoms, administer justice, who shut the mouths of lions, quench the fury of the flames, escape the edge of the sword, whose weakness is turned to strength, who become powerful in battle, and who are called upon to face persecution with courage and conviction. (See verses 32-35)

Mommas! We get the privilege of being there at the beginning. We may not see or know how their story ends, but we get this precious front row seat at the very beginning. This may be my purpose: to raise one such as this. They may not have the same story as Moses or David or Abraham, but God is writing their story and has allowed us a chapter. May we raise heroes and heroines. There is no insignificant task. There may not be books written about me or by me, but there will be the eye of my God upon me. 

Just as he saw Moses and David's parents, he sees you, your sacrifice, your courage (and even your fears), and your faith, dear momma. And He hears our prayers for more: more faith, more courage. May Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of faith continually perfect ours.