“Everything you have ever wanted is on the other side of fear”.

“When you look at your mother, you’re looking at the purest love you will ever know”.

“The right time is always now.”

These unattributed quotes, and dozens just like it, litter my Pinterest feed, my Instagram feed and every other source of social media. Beautiful graphics, exquisite photography and a little hand-lettering grab my attention every time.

Ooh, that’s lovely, I think.

Except, when I stop and really think, when I let those words sink below the surface for more than a second, sometimes the inspiration don’t ring quite as true. Everything, really everything, I have ever wanted is on the other side of fear? Huh, because sometimes, sharks are on the other side of fear.

Similarly, I love my children something fierce. I get that a mother’s loved is forged of something deep and it’s beautiful, but I know what a messed up and sinful human I can be at times. My selfishness and pride, my lack of patience and generosity can rear an ugly head. I love my kids wide and wild, but I pray like everything that they will know a love far purer than mine. Christ’s love is pure and my attempts only pale in comparison.

And is the right time really always now? Really? Because I think my 4 year old might have written that. He loves that theory. Yet those of us beyond the age of 5 and operating in reality know that sometimes, often times, good things come to those who wait. We know there is beauty and refinement in waiting. Patience and perseverance are grown in waiting. We grow in the waiting.

As inspiring as it might appear at first glance, some of the inspiration and motivation we find around the web might not quite align with truth.

Are these quotes beautiful? Maybe. Are they damaging? Maybe not. But in a day and age where black and white seem to be constantly and continually grayed, it is more important than ever for us to have a clear concept of Truth. And it is important for us to pass that Truth, authentic Truth, total Truth, on to our children.

Pslam 119:105 tells us that “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

The world feels dark at times. Elections feel messy. Life feels muddy and we question which leaders are truly worth following. I don’t know about you, but I could use a lamp. I need a light. I need the Word.

Hebrews 4:12 tells me that “The word of God is living and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of thoughts and intents of the heart.”

Wow. I need living and active. I need a discerner of thoughts and intents. I need the Word.

I love these verses. I know them and believe them and want them for me as much as for the daughters (and sons) I’m raising, yet I sometimes struggle with application. How do I raise children who really know the Word? How do I incorporate God’s Truth, His Word, into our home?

Here are three simple ways we are working this out.

1. First, I let it transform me. I spend time in God’s Word faithfully. Yes, some days I mess it up. Yes, some days I am distracted, but I prioritize God’s Word. I force this one habit because I understand just how important it is.
2. I let my kids learn with me. I don’t know how to teach my kids everything about the Bible and thankfully, I don’t have to. We can learn together. We can write the Word together. My 8 year old is practicing her cursive by writing scripture. My 11 year old is doing his first inductive study as we are both learning this method together. We don’t have to have all the answers to get started, moms. We only need to be willing to learn together.
3. Memorization. Much of the scripture I know today is a result of scripture memorization in my formative years. It’s surprising, even to me, when a verse pops into my head and it instantly takes me back some 30 years ago. I want to give my children that gift. So we faithfully memorize scripture and block by block we lay that foundation. Once again, I’m learning, being transformed, right along with them.

Understanding God’s Word and beginning to teach it to our daughters doesn’t have to be overwhelming we only need to be intentional and faithful and trust God with the rest. All of those bits of knowledge will soak deep, setting our girls in a foundation of Truth, transforming their minds at the very same time. Grab your lamp, friend. Grab your light and let’s give our daughters Truth!