The Gift of Inspiration

In continuing with my reading of The Ministry of Motherhood, here is an overview of Sally Clarkson's writings from the next section:

This gift inspires children to understand God's purpose for their lives and to say yes to his calling. The gift of inspiration helps give them the energy they need to do what God wants in their lives.

• As mothers we have the hearts and the trust of our children from the earliest moments of their lives, and they need us for so many reasons. These precious children were designed to fill a purpose for God by bringing his glory to bear through their lives.
• We must prepare our children to go into the world and make disciples for Christ.

Inspiring a sense of Purpose

• Jesus work in a person's life has always begun with a call to leave behind the goals, purposes and distractions of this world and to say yes to a whole new life, a new way of thinking.
• To fulfill God's design for their lives, our precious children must at some point determine to give Jesus allegiance in every aspect of their lives.
• If I seek to inspire my children to understand and own God's purposes for their lives that means they will grow up with a different set of instructions than people in the world have.

Inspiring a sense of God's Powerful Presence

• It is important to point out to our children the abundant evidence of God's power and glory and presence that surrounds us.
• Jesus wanted his followers to pay attention to God's reality and presence in the world around them.
• If we desire to pass on that gift to our children we will always be on the lookout for opportunities to tell them to look, observe and ponder.

Inspiring a New kind of Love

• We need to help our children develop a heart for ministry by reaching out in love and compassion to others.
• Jesus felt compassion for people regardless of their nationality, gender or reputation.
• When we follow in the footsteps of Jesus to reach out in love to those in need, we will ignite in our children the sense that they are worthy to consider themselves part of the solution in meeting people's needs.