On the Way to Missional from Mundane

I have found myself pondering on Deuteronomy 6:4-9.

“The Lord our God, the Lord is one.  Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.”

It is comforting to know that the opportunity to teach the word of God is spread throughout the day but also precisely the reason, why I find this challenging. So how do I go about this in my mundane daily life?

 “..When you sit at home...”

Sitting at our home may look like having family dinner, doing homework, daily reading etc. Some of these tasks meet with resistance and ungratefulness. For example, instead of saying,”You just need to do your homework; period. “It helps my kids if I say, “God has given us learning privileges through great school and teachers. Would it be wise to ignore them or should we be good steward of God’s gifts to us and be thankful for the privileges?”

“..When you walk along the road.. “

Nature walk presents unique opportunity to talk about God’s creation and His sovereignty. Acorns, ant mounds, speckled leaves by the side of road often make our talking points. Being said that we spend decent amount of time driving. Driving affords me a captive audience in my backseat. We start the drive by taking turns praying. Changing vista brings curiosity, admiration, and inquisitiveness. Questions such as, “Why do we have to care for poor by the side of road?” or “Why you should not be annoying your brother/sister next to you?” are brief moments to teach about God’s kindness and love towards us and our need to model the same.

“..lie down..get up..”

I spend small individual time with each of my two children before they go to sleep. Lying down in the bed is the time when I have found them most relaxed and also most opened. Recounting the day full of activities often present the scenarios to make them see the need of Godly discernment and making God honoring choices every day.

 “..Tie them as symbol...”

My rule of thumb to make my kids memorize the scripture is first to memorize it myself. It gives me freedom to ask them to recite it anywhere. For visual reminder, we have used nifty chalkboards and fancy post-in notes at places where kids are sure to visit, such as bathroom, sink, mirrors, and bedroom.

Reading above if you think even for a moment that I have it figured out in order, let me confess, I have not. I struggle to keep up with this every day. Why you ask?

Short answer is, I am a rebellious sinner and so are my kids. The words that I am trying to teach my children, I struggle to live by it consistently due to my inherent sin nature. Let me admit to you, I do not wish my children to ever look for a role model in me. Through my imperfection and failings, I want to point them to Jesus. I want my kids to know that He delights in using weak jar of clay like their mother for His glory.

I take comfort in 2 Corinthians 12:9, "But he said to me, my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.

God affords us opportunities to teach our children about Him every day. Are you seeking to turn your mundane moments to missional?

About Nive

Nive was born and raised in India.  She has a degree in Civil engineering but she decided that developing software is much more fun, so she taught herself programming.  Nive has been married for about a decade to her husband, Randy, a software architect.  They are very blessed to live in the beautiful Texas hill country with their two kids.  Born and raised as Hindu and redeemed by love of Christ a few years ago, Nive has a heart for culture and desire to make her redeemer known.  She loves to cook, has a penchant for handmade crafty things and teaches her kids to serve in the community.  You can find her food blogging athandfulofjoy  and serving at playdate with a purpose.

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