It is so important that we disciple our kids. Lord knows I don’t always get this parenting thing right—far from it. But if there’s one thing I want my children to remember… one thing I want woven into their hearts… it’s that even though we are flawed, we must still be bold about our faith in Jesus.
Every single morning, without fail, before they get out of my vehicle, I say the same words:
“I love you. Have a good day. Make good choices. Tell someone about Jesus.”
Do they roll their eyes?
Absolutely.
Do they act like I’m the most annoying human on the planet because—how dare I—breathe air through my nostrils in the presence of two 13-year-olds?
Also yes.
But here’s what I’ve learned, especially over the last few months: they hear you. Even when they don’t respond. Even when they act annoyed. The seeds are being planted. And when you feel like what you’re telling them isn’t “sticking,” God sends you a little reminder—a message from someone who witnessed your child’s boldness and their faith in Jesus make an impact someone else’s life.
That’s powerful. That’s encouraging. That’s God.
Maybe it’s age, maybe it’s everything going on in the world, or maybe it’s just the Holy Spirit working on me… but the older (not sure wiser) I get, the more I feel an urgency to share Jesus—to live out what He’s doing and how He’s working in me and in my life. And the more I run after Him, the more I seek Him, the more I notice the “attacks” come more often… and the distractions get louder too.
The other day, I ended up behind a car with John 16:33 on the tag. I immediately remembered the part of the verse that says, “you will have suffering in this world.” But then the Lord reminded me there’s more to that verse:
“Be courageous! I have conquered the world.”
What a reminder.
I have this conversation often with my kids:
Standing up for Jesus isn’t easy—
not in middle school, not in adulthood, not anywhere.
But it is absolutely, undeniably, eternally worth it.
So, keep discipling your babies.
Keep repeating the same truths.
Keep being the “annoying” mom or dad of faith.
One day, they’ll look back and realize those words were shaping them all along.