I think that we all enter parenting with some level of brokenness. I see so clearly that  much of what I have done as a parent  has been wrapped up in my own brokenness. I was ushered into parenting accompanied by fear of what I didn’t want to be, determination to not do certain things, and having experienced feelings I never wanted my kids to feel.  All of this  became the driving force behind how I interacted with  my children. In fact, that driving force is still present and continues to push me in the direction I want to go as the  mom of adult children.

Our brokenness doesn’t necessarily have to be a bad thing, if we see it for what it is and allow it to motivate us in the right way. The reality is, it is a symptom of our great need for a Savior.  It can be used to drive us to our knees to ask God for the help we need to parent in a way that points our children to God and His grace.

As we have been going through the “Pray The Word Journal – Advent Edition” I have been reminded of the many reasons parents have to be grateful.  I was  struck by the following verse:

“He is the radiance of the glory of God, and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.” Hebrews 1:3

The exact imprint of GOD! That’s pretty amazing, isn’t it? If we want to get to know God, and if we want our children to SEE God in us,  all we have to do is study the life of Jesus. He is the EXACT IMPRINT of the nature of God! If we want to know the “truth”, all we have to do is study the life of Jesus and read the Words of God, this what will be the “light”  that we need to direct our path, and what will provide the spiritual “life” that we and our children are so desperate for.

This verse is telling us that Jesus is the full and exact imprint of God’s true nature. He is identical to God, being himself fully God in all abilities and attributes. The Son is exactly like the Father! He chose to come to earth and become fully man so that salvation could be provided for you and me. (He is life)  As we see in the end of this verse, he sat down on the right hand of the Father – which indicates that his work of salvation was complete.

He was fully man, so that he could sympathize with human weakness, and yet he was the exact imprint of God, which means he was perfect. The perfect sacrifice for sin!

“In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:4,5)

Jesus came to earth as a baby, and with him he brought the “light”, “life”, and the “truth.”

Jesus is the “light” of the world. He is the One who makes clear the meaning and destiny of human existence. The term “life” means spiritual life. In Jesus, God’s purpose and power are made available to human beings. He is our ultimate hope. “Light” refers to Biblical truth and purity. Biblical truth is a light to our feet and our path. It directs our choices, conversations, and the steps that we take.

God really has gone to great lengths to make sure that we are able to get to know him if we truly want to.  He has given us what we need to point our children to Him. He has provided for our eternity and our children’s eternity.  But we must do our part! We must spend time in the Word getting to know HIm.

As we celebrate this Advent season, let’s be sure to thank God for sending his son to be “ a lamp to our feet and a light to our path.” (Psalm 119:105) and for his free gift of salvation that covers all of our brokenness  and allows us to point our children to the Savior of their souls.

**Gina is the manager and mentor at The BoyRaiser Tribe! Details about The BoyRaiser Tribe can be found HERE!  Come and join us! We’d love to have you!

**Gina has a newly updated book entitled: “Grace Gifts”. You can purchase your copy at amazon.com!

“As parents we can be tempted to look for methods of parenting, when what we really need is principles. The principles found in “Grace Gifts” can be carried out a hundred different ways. They can actually be custom-fit to your particular family. “Grace Gifts” is a short book, is perfect for busy moms, and is filled with ideas and practical ways that can help your children understand God’s grace. It is one of those books you will want to reference over and over again.“