Parenting and Religion

So often it can be tempting to hide reality. Nobody wants others to see their flaws. We all know that nobody is perfect, but when it comes to people seeing how imperfect we really are, we will do all we can to hide it.
One thing that has been on my mind lately, is the need in the church (those who call themselves Christians) is that before any of us can effectively minister to others, and that should be what we do, we need to take care of the things that so easily entrap us.
If I’m (we’re) not going to be honest before the Lord, and ask Him to show me (us) where I’m (we’re) missing it, then how can I (we) effectively minister to others?
In order to minister to the needs of others, I have to have my own life in order. I have to at least be willing to recognize and admit my own challenges, downfallings, and imperfections to the Lord, and maybe to some other people, before I can take the steps needed to bring those things into the place where I am having victory over them in my life, and then I can minister to others.
That isn’t to say that I have to be perfect. (Like that will ever happen!..haha) Afterall, I am human.
I do, however, have to realize that I need God to help me, ask for help, and be taking steps to grow in the Lord, and overcome the things that I struggle with.
If I pretend I am doing well, when I’m not at all, then my desire to help others will fail. If I am real, admitting that I don’t have it all together, then I will be able to minister more effectively.
As a parent, this also holds true. Who am I to minister to first?
My family.
Being honest with them about my imperfections, my struggles, and my need for their support must come before I can effectively minister to them.
I’m not saying we have to lay it all out on the table. I am saying that we need to stop playing church, and be real.
We need to stop acting like we have it all together, and realize that the only way we can have it all together is to be together through it all. Be real, be honest, ask for help when needed, ask for prayer, and pray for ourselves.
Ministering the Gospel, whether to our families, or to the world, can only be done with positive results if we take care of being real first.