Full Measure

I read this beautiful and convicting lesson from the book "Out of the Spin Cycle" by Jen Hatmaker.

In it she gives this little snippet of the sermon on the mount in which Jesus tells us,

"Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.”

Luke 6:38

She explains that in the those days merchants who were not super honest would sell you grain in containers and pack it loosely to sell you less for the same price. Whereas the upright would pour it and shake it down and fill it until it was overflowing.

God wants us to parent this way too. He warns us not to "pack it loosely" and just do what you have to do to squeak by. Because what we give in parenting, and in life, is what we will get in return. We need to rid ourselves of the distractions that keep us from "pressing it down and shaking it together".  Whether that be the computer, or television, cell phones, busy work, or the like.

What we put into our children is what we will get back. If we fill them with our love, and attention, and wisdom, we will be paid back in like measure. Taking our energy and time and devoting it to being the kind of parent God wants us to be will yield better children. 

We should also never forget that in His plan is there is a clear call for discipline. Researching and reading and praying about the correct course of discipline in your home is necessary. If we want to raise upstanding, valuable members of society we need to teach them what that is and how to do it.

So put in what you want to get out. Get rid of the distractions that are keeping you from this goal. Give your children this day your full measure. Press it down, shake it together, and fill it until it's overflowing.