When I follow Jesus who is consistent, I can be as well.

 

She knew the rules, followed the rules and then still got in trouble … with me.

Her senior year my husband and I had lifted our youngest daughter’s curfew. In a few short months when she left for college, we would have no idea where she was going or what she was doing. It made complete sense to me to give her that kind of freedom whiled she lived at home so we could work through any kinks she might have with making wise choices.

My daughter wasn’t the one who had the problem with the lack of curfew. It was me.

When given the opportunity to drive to the beach for the day with her friends, she had made it clear that she would be home very late. Since we would not allow her to get a hotel room with all her friends, they were going to stay on the beach as long as possible before they drove home.

When I woke up late in the night and saw her car still not in the drive, I flipped. I immediately called her. Where are you?

If you haven’t already discovered, let me spare you the pain. Don’t argue with your teen in the middle of the night. It’s just not worth it. Besides, like me, you might lose because they are used to thinking clearly in the middle of the night! I am not!

The next day, my girl who has always seemed more mature than her years, pointed out to me: you are inconsistent. You say one thing, but your actions display something different. I had given her freedom, yet when she exercised this freedom in a way that made me nervous, I got upset.

Consistency. I lacked consistency.

Jesus on the other hand does not.

How many times have you heard this verse: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today and forever.” ? Taken from Hebrews 13:8, I can’t imagine how many times I have heard it preached, on a plaque or in a card. Yet, every time, it stands alone. A powerful verse, it certainly contains enough truth to stand alone. Yet as I read it in the context of the entire chapter of Hebrews, a challenge leapt off the page.

Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Hebrews 13:7-8 

There seems to be a natural progression here. To shake it up a bit, try reading the verse backwards:

“Jesus is the same yesterday and today and forever. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you.”

I see a challenge here for us.

Jesus is the same yesterday and today and forever. When we focus our lives on His life, we become people whose entire lives are impacted and changed. We will not be the same when we follow the One who is! When we begin to speak His word, it changes us and we become models to others of the way to live and how to walk by faith.

Through this process of speaking God’s word and having our lives changed to become like His life, then we too can become the same. This is how we become consistent in our daily walks with Christ. Filling our minds and hearts with His word creates uniformity in our mind and heart on how to love and treat others and how to honor God. This consistency is the fruit of the Spirit spoken of in Galatians 5.

As my girl began to point out my inconsistencies, I could see that the mom I wanted to be, the one who gave freedom and opportunity to mature and the mom I sometimes was weren’t the same. She challenged me to speak and then, in faith, walk out what I had said.

May we do the same in other areas of our lives. Become the people of God who walk in love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control, through the power of the Holy Spirit who works in us! Then, like the leaders spoken of in Hebrews 13 7, we can lead our kids to become people of the fruit of the Spirit and consistent as well.

Lynn

13 Comments

  1. Wow- This was so powerful. I struggle with being consistent and my family reminds me of this practice. Thanks for sharing your story. It touched my inner spirit and I wept. God used your story to get my attention and he got it.
    Consistency in practice is my aim.

    1. Lynn Cowell says:

      Oh Angie – I am so very glad He used this post in your life!

  2. Courtney Myers says:

    I, too, have a daughter that will be heading off to college this year. I can relate to this post so much!! Thank you for this!! I’m struggling with letting her go and giving her more freedom and your words are what I needed! I will read this over and over, I’m sure! Thank you so much!

    1. Lynn Cowell says:

      He will give you the strength and comfort you need, Courtney, as that day approaches. Thank you for sharing!

  3. Dear Lynn-
    Thank you for sharing. Inconsistency mars my history. I want to be like the leaders who delivered faith in the one true Lord to me. I want to be the mom my girl needs. I don’t want jealousy to rob from the Kingdom. Thank you for serving,

    1. Lynn Cowell says:

      You will be victorious as you lean into our Savior, Jess! He has ALL the power You need for this assignment of motherhood!

  4. Tammy Stevens says:

    Reading this today has really helped me to see how I can sometimes be with my 17 year old son. He has just started driving places by himself and it has been very hard to let go. It brought tears to my eyes when I read this. Thank you for posting and helping me to see that other mothers are going through the same thing. Prayer is what has helped me and knowing that God is in control.

    1. Lynn Cowell says:

      I’m so glad God has used this post, Tammy!

  5. I think of Mary as she watched her son, Jesus. Beaten. Abused. Flesh ripped and bleeding. Crucified! And it was for me that He arose. God is not dead. I surrender ALL to His divine path loving others more than myself.

    1. Julie abbott says:

      I read your post, on a day that has been full of questions and emotions. Our son is now sitting in a drug treatment facility. The story of Mary watching Jesus being crucified actually gives me the strength on the crushing thoughts of my son, my baby being beaten by the people he chose to be around. Thank you for reminding all of us about Mary’s existence during Jesus’ crucifiction.

  6. bertha McLaughlin says:

    Pearl M, since my son & his wife divorced I as a grandmother help watch the twins boys parents have joint custody the boys are tweets going on 21,I see I’m not as consistent as I need to be in guiding them . Thank you for this info you have shared I desire to be the one they can confide in and desire they see Christ in me no matter what is goi g on. They seem to be able to talk with me about things that bother them in past , present and on future issues I’m happy about this. I desire to be able to give them guidance in a loving way that they will see Christ is there for them no matter what arises any where, at their moms , dads, or my home. Enjoying the blog a info to help teens / tweets.

  7. I haven’t yet, been there with the no curfew but gave my daughter a time to be home that night. She did have a volleyball tournament the next day to travel to. She didn’t drive. Her friend did. She relied on her friend and her friend had her home over 2 hours late. And yes, I could think and talk clearly either. She assured me that I can trust the LORD. Oh my! What a humbling experience.

  8. Melanie Tanksley says:

    Consistency just doesn’t seem to be in my DNA; I have been aware of my lack of it for years, and it’s frustrating. For me, in- consistency is learned behavior. I used to think it went hand in hand with the mental health issues I have, and it may. However, it’s fair to say that my mother, who primarily raised me, was overtly inconsistent, and that is likely why I am also. Another thing I ponder, does inconsistency and double-mindedness go hand in hand? The big difference is that I know what I need to change and am open to making the changes. I continue to ask God to help me be more consistent and to help me stop being double-minded.

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