A calling to write what He leads, no matter how uncomfortable...
Because simple daily Christian living is never what we thought it would be
They Dragged Me to Him
Okay that's a little mellow-dramatic…yet truthful. Who I am today, and the relationship I have with the Lord Jesus Christ is certainly based on (let's say) “the pull” my parents had on me in deciding to accept Jesus as my Savior. When my Sunday school teacher and the preacher talked about “free-will”, I honestly had no idea what concept they were discussing. My parents had a master plan in mind, and freedom didn’t seem to be any part of it. They wanted their children to avoid mistakes and regrets in life, learn early to follow and be obedient to the Lord, and naturally lean on Him…even in times of great difficulty. This plan had to start somewhere. My parents believed that the right moment was the moment we began breathing.
My mom and dad were each brought up in homes where either one or the other…or both parents were not devoted to the Lord. My mom attended Sunday school and Sunday church. My dad attended when the local church invited children to special occasion events. My mom sometimes attended mid-week service or revival. And definitely, the whole community went to holiday services and programs. If we were keeping score, this is probably similar to what most of us do now even with two Christ-committed household leaders. Spiritually, neither of my parents speaks very much about their childhoods. This probably means that there was nothing hugely evil to highlight; nor was there anything amazingly miraculous either. So, what then, brought my parents to a different level of commitment with the Lord regarding the raising of their own children?
Your own regrets, plus seeing a good working model of Christian living, are a powerful combination. My parents have briefly shared with me some of the mistakes they made both separately and collectively when young. In fact, in the past few years, both of my parents have revealed some of the things that they regret and some of the things in their lives that brought them to a deeper relationship with the Lord.
My dad also sometimes talks about a promise of sorts that he made to the Lord and a man who mentored him spiritually when he first came to relationship with the Lord. (So, we must recognize that spiritual mentor-ship, even in the form of devoted teacher or lay person, is a necessity in the church body, especially in situations where family members and family structures do not lend themselves to nurturing spiritual growth in the new generations.) I don't think I have ever heard my dad talk about that man without tears welling up in his eyes. For that reason alone, I understand completely that a good working model of spiritual maturity in one person can greatly influence the words and actions (and eventual offspring) of another. The power of forgiven regrets along with the influence of good examples can change the course of life’s events. That combination in my parents set them on a course of decisive committal to a Christ centered home.
There wasn't a grand outline or blueprint, just desire and a simple plan. My parents loved the Lord, wanted our eternal security, and knew that a life with Him was, without a doubt, far more rewarding than a life without Him. Granted, my parents had some solid glimpses of Christian parenting, and they were members of a church where leaders knew what they believed… and preached it… and taught it… and lived it. I don't remember any time in my life that someone was forced or required or even slightly pushed to get up before the congregation and publicly confess and repent. I surely don't remember a time when a panel of leaders set before such a confession and then dictated the appropriate punishment for the sinner's crimes. I do however remember very clear, high expectations taught both on the part of my church and my parents. Was this the big plan? The clear expectations....strong unwavering leadership...and determination to live what you believe. Was the plan just my parents’ sheer desire to follow the Lord they loved and be committed to Him without excuse or reservation? Is that what spilled over onto us? Oh how easy! Oh, how amazingly difficult!
I'm not sure where raising my siblings fit into this measurement system, but I was definitely on the “oh, how difficult” end. My parents never said anything about going to church on Sunday mornings...we just went. They never asked us about Sunday evenings either...it was just what we did. Sometimes, I remember discussing the Wednesday night meal before Wednesday evening Bible Service...but, I don't recall there ever being an option of attendance. Bible quizzing, Sunday school, children's choir, teen choir and tour, work and witness, community canvassing outreach, Bible camp, teen retreats, and even church sports were a given...we just did. I was the difficult “why” child. Why do we have to go? Why can't we watch TV on Sunday mornings? Why do we go every time? Why, why, why?
In my teen years the questions only changed a little. I think I purposefully tried to be annoying at this point. But my parents, who gave sideways looks of “I know…that you already know”, more than explanations now…held fast. Why do we have to sit with the teachers? Why can’t I sit with my friends? Why can't I sit in the back? Why can't I go to friend’s houses on Saturday nights? Why can't I go fishing on the weekends with my grandparents? Why do I have to carry my Bible? Why can't I be more involved at school? Why, why, why?
Recently, at the supper table, one of my own children was repetitively asking questions...and unwilling to accept explanations of any kind. During the long sequence, I looked across the table at my mom who was having dinner with us and saw her grinning from ear to ear. As I looked at her questioningly, she smiled, laughed and said, “Rhonda, you absolutely deserve him.” Though her words were strong, there was no malice in them. She knew I loved him, the way she loved me. Now sometimes, although I hated these words as a child, I hear myself give the same answers to my children that were given to me. It shocks me when I sound like my parents. But, when I say “Because, we serve the Lord, and going to church is just what servants do”, I am proud.
I am proud that I am dragging my children to Him. I have not been the parent my parents were to me. I waiver and I question and I make far more mistakes, but I do ask my kids weekly about their relationship with the Lord. I tell them from my experiences that He is the only way. I nag them about reading their Bibles and having one-on-one time with the Creator of the Universe. I tell them about Hell and about how smart and clever the devil is. I scare them with as much truth as they can handle for their age and look for opportunities to put God right in the middle of their days. I tell my kids to memorize scripture because, “When someone comes along and takes your Bible, they cannot take away what has already been stored in your mind and in your heart.” I tell them, and I work hard to live it before them.
Why does it matter so much? Why all the expectations? People come to the Lord every day without my heritage of dragging. People brought up without any knowledge whatsoever of the Lord Jesus Christ come to Him with just a simple retelling of His sacrifice on the cross. Well, I will tell you why. My parents knew what they wanted for their children and they were willing to go to war for it. My parents knew the Lord, loved the Lord, and wanted the children they loved most, to have a relationship with the One who loved them the most. My parents took every precaution they could to ensure that the soil was turned and prepared, seeds were planted, and water was given. When the time came for each of their children to face the choice of free-will, my parents wanted a clear and solid foundation to hold us up as the evil one tried to steal us away.
So…they dragged me to Him, that I might have the perfect chance to choose Him. And, I did. And, it has proven to be the most perfect decision I have ever made. Although life is still filled with trials of every kind, the solid foundation that was laid and labored over for me… is the foundation I stand on today…it is the foot-hold I am using to drag my own children to Him.
In obedience
Rhonda D Loucks
I'm not sure where raising my siblings fit into this measurement system, but I was definitely on the “oh, how difficult” end. My parents never said anything about going to church on Sunday mornings...we just went. They never asked us about Sunday evenings either...it was just what we did. Sometimes, I remember discussing the Wednesday night meal before Wednesday evening Bible Service...but, I don't recall there ever being an option of attendance. Bible quizzing, Sunday school, children's choir, teen choir and tour, work and witness, community canvassing outreach, Bible camp, teen retreats, and even church sports were a given...we just did. I was the difficult “why” child. Why do we have to go? Why can't we watch TV on Sunday mornings? Why do we go every time? Why, why, why?
They Dragged Me to Him
What can you expect? Straight talk, laughable humor, real truth, simple living, and passionate yearning...
all regarding the God that still involves Himself in the details of the lives of His people