The Faith of a Parent

Anyone who reads the history of the birth of Christ is awe struck by the incredible courage of Mary and Joseph who were facing insurmountable odds.

As you read beyond the blessed event you will also find, in Luke 2:25-38, the history of two passionate elderly people, Simeon and Anna.

Four people of amazing faith.

Mary, a young virgin chosen by God to be the mother of His one and only Son, Jesus. (Luke 1:26-38)

Joseph, a just man engaged to a women who was pregnant with a child that was not his own. (Matthew 1:18-25)

Simeon, a righteous man who had been waiting for years to see the Messiah. (Luke 2:25-34)

Anna, a prophetess, married young, widowed young, and at eighty-four years old was found worshiping in the temple day after day. (Luke 2:36-38)

Each person had tremendous faith. Mary's faith suspended her through a premarital pregnancy, possible ridicule, and the distant thoughts of what it would mean for her Son to the Savior. Joseph's faith strengthened him to wed Mary instead of "divorcing" her. Simeon's faith allowed him to hold on to a promise that he learned as a child and of a promise given to him by God to not die before seeing the Messiah. Anna's faith also proved worthy as she too saw the Messiah, rejoiced, and shared with those around her about the promise fulfilled.

I am in awe of each one of these faithful, righteous people but that makes me ask myself, how can they have such faith? Where did such faith come from? As a mother I wonder if maybe the parent's of Mary, Joseph, Simeon, and Anna played a part in their faith.

Israel was told to teach their children about the Lord God through memorials and through their example and the children were taught the Torra (the first five books of the Old Testament). One of the most beautiful parenting verses in the Bible was given to Israel. It says, "You shall teach them diligently to your children and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise." (Deuteronomy 6:7)

The faith of a parent in good times; in bad or difficult times; when there is plenty and when there is very little, all build trust in the mind of a child which leads to faith. "Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1)

Imagine your faith having the power to impart to your child the ability to own a faith that would allow them to be like Mary, Joseph, Simeon, Anna, and many others in the Bible that we are in awe of because of their faith?

Where could one start in building faith (both in yourself and in your child)? Know His Son Jesus Christ, first and for most, as your Lord and Savior. Trust God. Follow God. Remain faithful to God. Live out your faith in front of your children, rejoice in front of them as to God's faithfulness, and show them how to live in courage when things are not the way you had hoped.

Also, remember that even when a parent does everything they could to raise children to have a strong faith, that as an adult, they will make the choice to remain faithful. They may also choose to walk away from God, but God, in His faithfulness will draw them back to Himself.

"Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1)