Fear Not

Have you ever noticed that when angels appear to men/women in the Scriptures they have to comfort them by telling them to not be afraid? This never had much impact on me until my oldest son saw a female angel on top of someone's Christmas tree this Christmas who was very beautiful and said angrily, "Mom! That's not an angel! Angels are men! And where is his sword?!" :)

But the young lad has a point. There's a reason the angels have to comfort those they come in contact with: they are warriors! Messengers of the Most High God. They are not looking for friends: they are fulfilling a purpose.

I wonder what the LCMS would look like today if our clergy and leaders behaved this way? Moreover, I wonder how many children would stay in the church if their pastors and parents exercised their authority in such a way?

Our job as mothers is not to coddle and make friends: it is to rule our homes while our husbands are away with a firm and loving hand. Our authority is given by Christ and when we wear it respectably, our children will not only understand what authority at home is: but also will understand and respect authority in both the right and left hand kingdoms.

Many children who do not have authority figures at home that they "fear and love" would probably be afraid of a painting like this...not my children. My children shiver with excitement over a warrior angel that is willing to fight for them.

May every faithful Pastor and Dad garner the same response!

And mothers: may we serve faithfully in such a way that we teach our children to fear and love God and their father.