“Sing another one mama.”
Snuggling next to my sleepy 4-year-old, a random collection of ballads and lullabies from my own childhood in Scotland come to mind. Songs passed down to me by my mom and grandmother when I, too, pleaded for “just one more song” before drifting off to sleep.
Raising my children in a different country to the one in which I was born, I am all too aware of the importance of sharing my culture and heritage with them through stories, memories, and song. Especially during the early days of the pandemic, when travel was virtually impossible, my husband and I felt the weight of this responsibility keenly—acutely aware we were the only link they had to a culture that was theirs to claim yet in many ways still felt so foreign.
Yet we aren’t alone in carrying this burden. As Christian parents, it’s a responsibility we all share.
The Bible makes it abundantly clear that earth is not our true home. We are sojourners and exiles, raising our children in a world that is foreign and hostile to our beliefs and message. Our job is to preserve it. To pass the good news of the gospel on to future generations and share the kingdom culture with our children; the heavenly inheritance that will one day be theirs.
Psalm 78:2-4 says, “For I will speak to you in a parable. I will teach you hidden lessons from our past— stories we have heard and known, stories our ancestors handed down to us. We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord, about his power and his mighty wonders” (NLT).
It’s an all day, everyday assignment. But we don’t need to overcomplicate it. We already do it when we read Bible stories with our kids before bed, share Scriptures with them when they’re anxious or afraid, play worship songs in the car, pray with them when their little hurts are burdened, and point them to God in gratitude for every good and perfect gift.
This is how seeds are sown in young hearts. This is how faith is handed down through generations (2 Timothy 1:5). And while we as parents are not the ones ultimately responsible for our children’s salvation, our role in passing on the torch is undeniable.
So be encouraged! With every song, Scripture, and story, you are sharing the truth with the next generation, preparing them for the day they will finally get to go ‘home.’
No task we have is more important, mama. No responsibility offers greater reward.
