One evening, both of our older girls told me that they were exempted from their Christian Living final exam. They said that CL is easy for them. I asked why it was easy, one of them replied with….
“Because our dad is a pastor and our parents (you) teach us the Bible.”
I cringe when I hear them attributing certain things to their dad’s title/work. I was quick to tell them that it has nothing to do with their dad being a pastor. But everything to do with us being followers of Jesus. Even if King were not a pastor, he would still be ministering to, discipling and teaching people, sharing the Gospel, volunteering in church. I, too, would be doing the same thing even if I were married to a “normal” Christian. We were already doing these things before he was even on the road to becoming a pastor and before I met and married this man who was studying to be one.
In other words, we would still teach our children the Word of God. Daddy being a pastor has little bearing on why we teach our kids about Jesus. Jesus is the reason. Nuff said.
And then she brought up another thing…..
“Right. But people expect us pastors’ kids to know everything in the Bible.”
She proceeded to tell the story about one of her teachers asking the class about a certain verse. No one answered, she said her mind was a blank at that time, and she got called out for not knowing it because she’s a pastor’s kid. Haha. My exact words were….
“Kebs!”
Which they did not understand hahahaha. “Keber! Never mind what they think.” I explained and reminded them that they don’t need to let others put that pressure on them. We, their own parents, don’t. What matters to us is their flourishing relationship with God. Forgetting a verse or not knowing everything written in the Bible doesn’t make one less of a christian. Being a pastor’s kid doesn’t make one a super Christian either! No one is perfect. We all make mistakes. We are all works in progress. We all need grace. We all need Jesus.
If other people think less of my children because they don’t fit their idea of a pastor’s kid, or expect way too much from them, that’s okay. We can’t control that. We remind our girls that there will be people like that. But our goal is to obey Jesus, to continue to be changed by Him. Not for appearances. Not to compete with others. Not for our reputation. Not for the pleasure of other people. But hopefully, truthfully and sincerely, for the love of God and His people, and for the honor and glory of God alone. ❤️
Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it. Proverbs 22:6
Phoebe's Sari-Sari Stories 