I am not a doctor, but I will treat my child’s illnesses.
I am not a nutritionist, but I will make sure my child eats fruits and vegetables.
I am not a police officer, but I will protect my child.
I am not a teacher, but I will read with my child.
I am not a chauffeur, but I will drive my child to where they need to go.
I am not a chef, but I will prepare meals for my child.
I am not a coach, but I will give them pointers.
I am not a counselor, but I will listen to my child.
I am not a maid, but I will maintain a clean home for my child.
I am not a dentist, but I will make sure my child brushes and flosses.
I am not a pastor, so I cannot teach my child about the faith.
I am not a Sunday School teacher, so I cannot teach my child about the faith.
I am not a DCE, so I cannot teach my child about the faith.
I am not an expert, so I cannot teach my child about the faith.
What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building (1 Corinthians 3:5-9).
Parents, you are a continuation of this service. You are a co-worker. You make more of an impact than you will ever know. Think back to your own faith journey. Who modeled the faith to you? How did they model it?
LCMS Youth Ministry research found that today’s active LCMS young adults were more likely than those who had left the LCMS to report having a good relationship with parents where they could discuss questions of life and faith (http://www.youthesource.com/).
How can we walk beside you to turn your “so” into a “but?”