I recently started reading Paul David Tripp’s book, Forever, and I’ve been painfully reminded of how often I suffer from “eternity amnesia.” In this broken and harsh world, it’s easy to forget that we are eternal beings who are created and wired for joy. We tend to live with a “pack-it-all-in mentality, loading up the here and now with expectations that will only be fulfilled in eternity.”
The fact of eternity should directly shape how we live our fleeting lives here on earth. For those of us with children, the reality of forever gives us good reason to be serious about our parenting.
The bottom-line question is this: how many of us parent with eternity in view? Do we view and respond to our children with the radical thought that these little ones are forever beings inescapably marching toward a destiny of some kind? Are we committed to the fact that as parents we cannot live for the moment? We must always have the long view of life in our sights. After all, we have mysteries of the universe to unfold to our children that will alter everything they think about themselves and the world they live in — and one of the most important mysteries is the existence of eternity. How many of us are willing to make personal, career, and familial sacrifices because we grasp the eternal significance of the task that God has called us to? {Forever, Paul David Tripp, pg 141}
I know firsthand that parenting multiple little ones with “eternity in view” is a task that’s bigger than me. How often I have sacrificed a potentially significant conversation or worship-moment with my child because…
“I don’t have time right now”
“I doubt he would understand what I’m trying to explain anyway”
“I’m so irritated at this moment I can’t think straight”
“I can’t let my kid embarrass me like that in public”
…and the list goes on.
God chose to bless Eric and me with these four little “self-sovereigns who will want to rule their lives for the purpose of their own self-defined comfort.” I’m praying for the grace, the wisdom, and the patience to parent my children with an eternal perspective, faithfully showing and telling them the truth about how God created them as forever beings.
Tripp encourages with these words:
Parent, if you are God’s child, forever is not just your future; it is your guarantee of grace in the here and now. That grace meets you in your toughest moments and works to change you so that you can be God’s tool of change in the hearts of your children. And that grace is with you and will not wear out before eternity is your reality.
-Abby
Very very good. I’ll have to check out this book. If you can find the time to read, surely I can!
I think Paul Tripp is one of the best modern Christian authors. And this book has really helped me with my perspective. Definitely check it out if you have time!!
What a good reminder. Parenting small children so often feels like your life is being run by the “tyranny of urgency.” The children are always hungry, laundry has to get done so they have something to wear, the baby’s diaper needs changing, the giant puddle of milk (or whatever flavor the mess of the moment takes) has to be cleaned up right away…it is so easy to be overwhelmed by the basic needs of your children that you can’t seem to find time or energy for anything else! That is why I think homeschooling is such a blessing – because if we remind ourselves to do it, we can be shaping their hearts and thoughts for eternity while our hands are busy with menial tasks. You can discuss theology with your child while both of you fold laundry or clean up together. You can pray aloud (with eyes open and hands still working) or sing hymns as you cook dinner – and you know wherever you are, the little ones will want to be right there with you! Practicing reading and writing works just as well with Bible verses as it does with any other book. It is the fact of them being constantly around us that enables us to teach our children about the things of God “when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” (Deut.11:19).
The tyranny of urgency…that sums it up perfectly, Katya! I love what you’ve shared here. It’s good to be reminded of what we’re commanded to do in Deut.11:19. And what better way to preach to our own hearts than by constantly sharing truth with our kids!