How to Have a True Faith That Your Kids Can See

If you look around the world right now, it won’t take very long for you to realize that it’s almost all fake.  Fake lives. Fake friends. Fake hair. Fake body parts. (Ahem.) Even if you watch “reality TV” (which I don’t), it won’t take long to see it’s fake, too. In a world full of fakes, how can we show true faith to our kids?

We live in a generation of people who think that God takes us as we are, and we can live however we choose as long as we call ourselves “Christians,” go to church on Sunday and sing a few praise songs.

But the truth is, if you have a faith that doesn’t change who you are from the inside out, you don’t really have much of a faith at all.

Kids can see your true faith

I have found that in a world filled with fakes and frauds, it can be hard to recognize the real thing. But when you spend time around a true Christian, you will recognize their faith, and know that it’s real.

No one spends more time with me than Billy and my boys. I can put on a good show when we go out (don’t look down on me; I know you do it too), but they know the me that’s behind closed doors. They know when I’ve had a bad day, or when I’ve let my flesh control me. They know if I’ve had a bad temper or been grouchy.

They know when I’m a fake.

Generational faith

It’s a very short story, only one verse in the New Testament. But it has continually been a testimony to mothers and grandmothers for centuries.

When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and in thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.

2 Timothy 1:5

That’s the only time those two particular women are even mentioned in the Bible. But what an amazing legacy! We don’t know anything about their story, only that Timothy’s father was not a Jew, but a Greek. Being of mixed race, Timothy was probably used to not fitting in anywhere.

Not welcome among the Jews. Not welcome among the Gentiles. Being in the middle of two varying cultures and religions, Timothy was probably faced with many decisions in life.

But somehow his mother and grandmother inspired a faith in his soul that brought him to belief in God and salvation. How did two women do this?

I wish I knew their whole story. I’m sure it’s an interesting one. What I do know, is that their faith was unfeigned. Not fake. It wasn’t put on for Sunday service, and taken off when they got home. They didn’t  just pull it out when church people visited. Their faith was real all the time.

Timothy became a great man of God, and had a very real faith of his own, because his mother did. Her true faith in God led him to experience faith on his own. He did great things for God because of it.

How to show your kids true faith

I want my boys to see that same faith in me. I want them to want what I have. Trust me, kids know when it’s fake, and they want no part of it.

Our kids need to see us live true Christianity at home, and not just hear it at church.

True faith worships.

Let your kids see you worship. Not just at church, but in the car. At home while you wash dishes. Let them know that God doesn’t only live in the walls of the church, but He is everywhere we are.

When good things happen, thank God for them on the spot. You don’t have to go into some big spiel about it. (That would probably come close to fake.)

But point out when God gives special blessings to your family. Remind them that things like food, a warm house, their family, their church and school, the job where daddy works, are all special blessings from God that He gives because He loves us.

But also assure them when things are bad that God is in control and He will take care of them. Unfortunately, kids face hard things in the world we live in. They need to know that Someone sees and cares.

True faith prays.

I believe that praying is a private thing. I understand that it’s important to pray at church, to pray in public at restaurants, pray before you eat and pray before bed. But for me, when I really want to talk to God, I want to do it alone. But when you’re a mom, alone time can be a foreign concept.

If my boys come in while I’m praying, my first thought is to put away prayer list, and finish later. But I try to make a point to tell them, “Mommy is praying, I’ll get your breakfast when I’m done.”

I try to take every opportunity to teach my boys that Jesus is always listening, and He hears us when we pray. Jaxon truly believes that Jesus can do anything. If he is sick, he prays for Jesus to touch him.

If his brother falls down and busts his lip, Jaxon prays for him. Last week his best buddy missed church because he was sick. I overheard Jaxon tell him later, “I prayed for you.” My mama-heart almost burst!

Please don’t think I am super spiritual. I am not. I fail many times and probably pray a lot less than I should. But I do believe that God can take my failings and still use them for His glory. To hear my boys pray and talk about praying is everything I can hope for.

True faith apologizes.

There aren’t many things more humbling than having to admit that you were wrong. It’s even worse when you have to do it to a child. But I think it’s so important for them to hear me say, “I was wrong and I’m sorry.”

I know it’s hard to believe, but sometimes I get angry. I yell and say things I regret. It’s easy to decide I don’t have to apologize to my kids–they pushed my buttons the wrong way after all.

But it’s important for them to understand that Jesus doesn’t like it when they misbehave, and He doesn’t like it when mommy does it either.

You may think it’s better for your kids to think you never mess up, but the truth is, you do mess up. And they already see it. Show them you aren’t perfect, but Jesus forgives you. I think it’s a powerful message they will notice.

Don’t fake it, just make it

We are surrounded by fakes everywhere. But true faith doesn’t have to be faked. When we’re saved, Satan knows he has no power over us. He can no longer control our lives.

But if he can make us ineffective Christians, his work is done. When we talk the talk, but fail to walk the walk, people will notice–our kids first of all.

I want to be real. I want to have faith like Lois and Eunice that my boys can see. I want them to one day look back and say, “My mom had a true faith, and that’s what I want too.”

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