When political campaigns start to filter into our current conversations, moms take all kinds of approaches to managing the mayhem. Maybe you’re that mom who sends her child to Sunday school with a candidate’s button pinned on her dress. Or maybe you make popcorn and watch the debates with your toddlers and teens. What kind of mom are you? Do you know what your kids need to know in Election year?
- Are you flag-waving Felicia? This is a chance to feed your little patriots and capitalize on teachable moments about the Founding Fathers. #historylesson
- Are you kneeling Nancy? Every vote, debate, and road sign is a chance to quote an applicable verse and lead in prayer. #citizenofHeaven
- Are you wring-your hands Rhonda? Worried about the future and pretty sure you’re going to need a family set of passports come December 2016? #fingernailbitersunite
- Are you sarcastic Cindy? Our kids have to face the realities of this world we live in, so why try to pretend it’s peachy!?! #filtersneeded
Oh Felicia, Nancy, Rhonda, Cindy, and Julie (that’s me), here’s the bottom line: political elections are opportunities for us to think more like Jesus and less like “Mommy-without-Jesus.” In fact, a short passage (Colossians 1:15-23) in the New Testament tells us what our kids really need to know in Election year.
“He is the image of the invisible God … by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. And you … he has now reconciled … in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven …” (excerpts from Colossians 1:15-23)
Our kids are counting on us to give them a truth-sourced, hope-filled outlook on this Election and their future. This is what kids need to know in Election year.
7 Primary Things to Tell Kids in Election Year
- Jesus made all governments and rulers. ~ v. 16
- Jesus is greater than everything, candidates, parties, or votes. ~ v. 16
- Jesus holds everything together. ~ 17
- Jesus is our #1 leader. ~ v. 17
- Jesus has a plan for making the world peaceful. ~ v. 20
- Jesus has a plan for our holiness. ~ v. 22
- Jesus is our hope. ~ v.23
Right now in the United States, candidates and political parties are proclaiming their positions, plans, and promises. No one will be allowed to rule unless Jesus allows it. The winner will not be greater than Jesus. God’s Son will keep holding everything together. Jesus will always be the #1 leader, working His plan to bring ultimate peace, bringing about holiness in the lives of his followers, and being what he alone can be: the undisputed hope of the world. Let’s proclaim that, mamas!
- How are you capitalizing on political campaigns to cultivate growth in your kids?
- How would you describe your parenting style related to your personal future and to politics?
- Election Day and empowering, enduring truths for moms - November 8, 2016
- Loving People: How Moms can Make Life a Lesson in Loving - October 11, 2016
- A Child’s Heart and the Hidden Treasure of Talking Back - September 13, 2016
