Gay Marriage: A Mom's Perspective

As a mom news hits me differently than it used to. Honestly, for the most part I don't have time (or desire) to keep up with it. My husband fills me in on what I need to know. But every once in awhile it's unavoidable. If you're like me, when you heard about our country's latest judicial act about homosexual marriage (note: original article published June 2015) you felt a knot deep down in the pit of your stomach. I looked out at my kids squealing and splashing in their wading pool in the backyard. I looked at my wedding picture above the fireplace. It seemed so unfair. Why do they have to grow up in a world where evil will be paraded in front of their faces at every turn? Where sin isn't dressed in the easily recognizable horns and a pitchfork, but is disguised as light? I've thought several times throughout the day today, "What kind of a world will they grow up in?" 

But I am not the first mom to think that. I also won't be the last. Do you know who else probably had the same thought? Eve. And moms in every generation after her. When we fear what our kids will face on this earth it means we have become too comfortable here. We want to make heaven for our kids here and now. We can't do that, moms. 

And we're not supposed to. 

Have we forgotten the guarantee from Jesus? "In this world you WILL have trouble (John 16:33)." We can actually be encouraged when we see trials rushing at our faith because we look to the Lord and say, "Oh, yeah. This is what You were talking about. This is another one of Your promises being fulfilled right in front of my eyes." 

But it gets better. Our trouble has a purpose:

"So that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:7)." 

There is something so much greater than our kids' comfort, moms. It's their faith. But their faith cannot come forth as gold without the fires of refinement. Fire is a necessary part of the process. If God has saved them, we don't have to fear that their faith won't be able to withstand the evil of this world. Sometimes I picture myself planting precious, fragile seeds of faith in my kids. Then I look up and see the world like a giant bulldozer, revving its engine and threatening to destroy with one swoop the work I've labored over all of their lives. 

But that picture is so wrong. 

Faith that is wrought in God will stand firm until the end. I'm not the one who causes growth. God is. And that bulldozer? It's under His control, too. Satan cannot destroy true faith. His tactics will ultimately strengthen and refine it.

In fact, based on what our children might face in the coming years, it is very possible that the next generation of Christians will be stronger than this one. Lukewarm faith will not survive. Complacency won't be an option. 

Moms, one day we will be in the Promised Land. This isn't it. Live like this is your temporary home. Pray that God will save your kids. Give them an armory full of effective weapons by teaching them His Word. Thank Him for His promise to refine His church through fire. Rest knowing that God has never forsaken His people and He never will. How does that passage from John 16:33 about trouble end?  

"Take heart! I have overcome the world." 

"The Gospel-Centered Mom" Bible study is a must-have for busy moms who want to be in the Word. Get your copy on Etsy or Amazon.