I was recently honored to be able to give a short devotional at my sister-in-law’s baby shower. I searched the web in preparation, and was surprised to find only a handful of baby shower devotionals, so thought I would add mine to the mix in case anyone else is looking:
2 Peter 1:3-8 is one of my very favorite passages because it tells us that we have everything we need for life and godliness through our Lord Jesus Christ; but also that we are not expected to be mature in “everything” all at once, because there is a progression of building character and virtue. This is wonderful news for all of us, and especially for those who are parents in some capacity (parents, grandparents, mentors, etc.). Through the Holy Spirit we have full access to all the resources to win at life. And if and when we feel like we are failing, we can remind ourselves that if we are dependent on Him, then indeed we are not failing after all, but rather slowly building our character in partnership with one proficient in all our weaknesses.
After reading and commentating briefly on this passage at the shower (I prefer not to work from an outline, so it is a mystery what I said exactly ;-)), I passed around a bag of mixed wild flower seeds, inviting everyone to take as many as they liked. The seeds are small and don’t look like much, but when they are planted in the right environment, they grow into beautiful flowers. The miracle of God’s Creation is that within each seed God has placed everything necessary for the seed to grow into its preordained plant. The nurturing of the seed is important, but nothing needs to be added to the seed itself. It will grow, or it will not grow; but the growth that occurs will be in line with God’s design as wrapped up in the nature of the seed.
There are “seeds” of all different sorts of things: seeds of spiritual gifts, and jobs, and missions… and within these, a “parent seed.” When God calls us to be parents, we are not alone in a mess of figuring out what to do with little people—though maybe it feels like that sometimes. In fact, to those who are parents, God has given not just the gift of life, but the ability and privilege to blossom as a parent through Him. Each parent, when partnered with the Holy Spirit has the right personality and resources to parent the particular blessings He has given us.
If you are a parent, no one can raise your kids better than you. You are the right one for the job. And regardless of how many times you may feel that you are not up to par, the Lord is with you to give you the wisdom and endurance you need to be successful. In difficult moments, pause, pray, and remember Peter’s wisdom: you have everything you need for life and godliness through our Lord, and as you continue to seek Him and His ways, your character is being strengthened so that you can withstand the obstacles and temptations, and be fruitful in this calling. The parents who plant themselves in God produce godly fruit—and if you are a parent, this includes you! We can trust God with our children; and with our parenting.
