This morning God healed a fear I have hidden inside as a parent. For as long as I can remember I have always said, “If I teach my kids nothing else, I want them to know Jesus and have good manners.” As I have watched them become adults, I began questioning some of their decisions. Then I paused and remembered my young adult life and the many times I attempted to do things my way or the way of the world to fit in with the crowd.

Music was a big part of our home. There was almost always music playing, especially at naptime when I introduced my kids to Kenny G. My husband is a percussionist and I learned to play guitar in my 30’s and went through a season of songwriting. For a brief time, we went to area nursing homes and played old gospel hymns for the residents. My husband and I played instruments and sang, my daughter sang, and my son considered himself the roadie (he was a teenager). Much to my surprise the biggest joy I received out of that season was watching my kids sit and interact with the residents. My son especially seemed to love to hear their stories and still does.

Lately both of my children have begun to send me links to songs on Spotify. My daughter sends me a variety of songs that connect with her now and my son sends songs from artists like Kenny G and Michael W. Smith, because they remind him of his childhood. Today God used this to confirm in me that I was a good mom. No, I was not perfect and I know I made a lot of mistakes, but both of my kids know Jesus and they are both hardworking, polite adults. The music I played in the background was more for me and my sanity at the time, but today God reminded me that they were listening and he was talking to them as well.

So, if you are a parent or anyone that connects with children, know this: they are watching and listening. God can use your everyday life to reach their hearts and minds. Even when you are unaware, God is working. Memories last a lifetime and so does God’s reach.

Have a Blessed Day!

Kathryn