There have been moments throughout life that marked me, moments that have shaped me to become who I am in Christ today.
As I travel throughout the world sharing the Good News of Jesus to hundreds of thousands of people, I can’t help but realize the sacrifice that came before me by so many.
Many of those life-changing encounters happened because of the devotion my parents had to Jesus. I grew up as a pastor’s kid, but my experience may have been different than many others. For my family, it was never just about a church service on Sunday. My dad was the first generation in coming to Christ. While in a drug deal, getting high, someone told him about Jesus and invited him to church. Both of my parents decided to leave the world behind and follow Jesus with everything they had. While growing up, I watched them every day; I saw the love they had and still have for our Savior and one another. They knew what He had saved them from, and they gave every area of their lives to Him.
My parents were the real deal. They were the same at church as they were at home. As pastors, they showed me first-hand the importance of going out into the city, preaching the gospel and loving on those in need.
Friends, whether you had the same experience growing up, or not, you can be that light to your children. As a parent, you are the first representation of Christ to your kids while they are growing up. They learn about who He is, how much He loves us and cares for us through you.
When I was young, I remember going to the park to hang out with other church kids. One of them came up to me and asked me to smoke a cigarette with them. I immediately said no and continued as they pressured me, not because of fear of punishment, but because of the love for Jesus that my parents had displayed to me growing up.
It was a defining moment for me as an 8-year-old kid being approached by a 14 year-old teenager. Nobody would have ever known, but what my parents had taught and demonstrated to me came through when they weren’t there.
Discover how the Lord can use you to encourage your children’s faith on this episode of Awaken the Wonder on the Charisma Podcast Network. And read the full article at calebwampler.com. {eoa}
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Shawn Akers 
Rabbi Eric Tokajer 
