You Are the Equipment

One of my favorite lines in the gospels is Jesus telling his followers, “Don’t load yourselves up with equipment. Keep it simple; you are the equipment,” (Luke 9:3, MSG, emphasis added). I think this is critical and life-changing advice for parents. In an age where there is an emphasis on doing, teaching skills, and managing one’s image, Jesus literally takes us back to the heart of the matter. When it comes to raising children, parents are the equipment. It is our very presence, our authentic selves which shape and form who our children are becoming.