A Reflection of God’s Heart

Yesterday and today, we had the great blessing of being able to welcome our mums, and other important females in the lives of our children, to join us across both campuses to celebrate their influence in our lives. Each year, this day is enjoyed by both our students and adults alike. Mums (and Dads), you have a great responsibility in shaping the character of your children. Parenting can be hard, but it is also full of hope. God equips us daily in helping our children develop wisdom and character that will help them to flourish. God doesn’t just equip you, the parents, but He also equips us as educators. Parent partnership ensures we are all heading forward in the same direction.

I was reading an article from Phil Steiger, that was published on the Focus on the Family website. He believes there are seven traits of effective parenting that reflects God’s heart. As I share these, I believe that they are not just for you, our parents, but are applicable to anyone who helps to raise children – so that is all of the MCC community.

• Love: Showing up with sacrifice – kids notice what matters. Kids learn love by watching how we love.

1 John 4:10 – “This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son…”

• Respect: Seeing the value in every child – kids are encouraged when they are respected and valued. The language we use is noticed by our kids.

Philippians 2:3 – “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves…”

• Intentionality: Living with purpose, not passivity – talk about and live out our values and priorities. This gives our kids consistency.

Colossians 1:10 – “…so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God…”

• Boundaries and limits: Protecting what matters most – healthy boundaries create safe spaces for our kids. By setting boundaries, we are protecting them.

Hebrews 12:1 – “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us…”

• Gratitude: Cultivating a heart that sees the good – this helps us to teach our kids to focus on what’s right, not on what’s wrong.

Philippians 1:3-4 –  “I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy…”

• Grace and forgiveness: Leading with mercy, not perfection – we mess up and our kids will mess up. Let’s model forgiveness by acknowledging what they did, forgive them, love them, and help our kids to know how to make better choices.

Romans 5:8 – “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

• Adaptability: Finding peace when life doesn’t go as planned – when we show our kids we can be adaptable, it helps them to develop flexibility, resilience, and faith. We must model peace and trust.

Philippians 4:12 – “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.”

Together, we can help shape our kids into becoming the people God created them to be. This is in the every day – of what you show them at home and what we show them at school.

May God bless you all, but our mothers particularly at this time, as we navigate these amazing opportunities together to help develop your children. Let’s not take this responsibility lightly.

jodie vamplew, head of primary- brookfield campus