Written By: Priscilla Burr | Chief Communications Officer
Photo by: Reed Burr
The first board I owned was shaped by my husband. It was a 6’10 egg inlaid with traditional Kenyan kitenge fabric, with large, bright brown and orange flowers. When I would take it to the beach, people would stop us to look at the design and compliment it. Everything about that board was beautiful to me, from the fabric that reminded me of home to the way it rode. It also held so many memories — learning to surf in Florida and watching my younger brother learn to balance on it.
Now, three kids later (one only five months old), that board collects dust on my husband’s surfboard rack. As I build back my strength, my goal is to relearn how to surf on it and teach my kids how to as well.
The board feels like my faith journey. I grew up in a Christian home. But there were times when my life didn’t always resemble my faith. Like the beauty of the board, I’d feel fired up to share my faith after a conference or spiritual retreat. Yet not long after, like the board, I’d collect dust — being back into the rhythm of everyday life.
Right now, I often feel like I’m collecting dust.
What I remind myself as a mom, with hardly any time alone, is that God is everywhere. He’s there with me in the beauty of my kids playing in nature. He’s there with me in the crayon colored walls and meltdowns. But more importantly, He’s there to help me guide my kids. My spiritual “board” isn’t collecting dust when I’m at home. He’s helping us disciple our kids. And now my goal is to see Jesus (and for my kids as well) in everything — to bring my board out to show my kids, to bring them alongside me and to push them into waves.
Before they entered the Promised Land, Moses addressed the Israelites on the significance of following the commandments.
Deuteronomy 6:6-8 says, “These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.”
Whatever season of life you are in, may you be reminded that Jesus is there with you. That you can be Jesus to others in the normal rhythm of life. You don’t need to be perfect or have every answer. You can share Jesus, even when you feel like your life starts to feel like you are collecting dust and messy. You can show and share Jesus in how you raise your kids. You can show and share Jesus with the little groms you teach to surf. And you can show and share Jesus to the moms (or parents like you) just trying to take it one day at a time.
If you are a parent, my prayer is that you are reminded of the importance of the little moments. Your kids can see Jesus in how you respond to situations. Your kids can see Jesus in how you love them. Your kids can see Jesus in those still moments in His presence together. May you continue to impress His word into their hearts.