What did your parents repeatedly say to you?
Wash your hands. Take out the trash. Don’t get too near the fire. Protect little brother or sister. Mind your manners.
If we sat in a room with a whiteboard, we could rattle off hundreds of sayings that parents had for us as kids. Many of these sayings carried power because they reminded us of our surroundings and safety. Why do we remember these words? Our parents repeated them to us over and over again. Probably at some point, we started finishing our parent’s sentences.
Paul wrote the letter of Philippians to a church he cherished. They had their problems, of course, just read the book. He carried a particular fondness for them. Listen to what he says to them in Philippians 3:1:
Further, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you.
All throughout Philippians, Paul repeats himself. Paramountly, he says “Rejoice always” throughout the whole book.
We live in an age of distraction and complications. Millions of messages come to us throughout the day on billboards, social media, brochures, and even in our gatherings, we try to fit as many ideas as possible.
Repetition forces us to slow down and clarify what matters. It motivates us to ask God how we can bring grace and truth to the significant people in our lives. Strategic repetition like Paul helps other people, whereas unhealthy repetition becomes blank noise.
As I have become a parent, I have asked myself what my daughter needs to hear from me. Each day I pray over her Numbers 6:24-26. Then I have started saying this to her as a followup to the prayer:
You are loved by God.
You are created in His image.
And He is particularly fond of you.
You are loved by your Mommy and Daddy.
And we are particularly fond of you.
Author William P. Young mentioned the importance of using the word “fondness” to communicate how much God likes us and also how much we like our kids. I hope my daughter recognizes all throughout her life how much Jesus loves her and that her value comes from Him.
Ultimately, our repeated phrases express what we value. When we start with the Good News of the Gospel, it causes us to ask how Jesus has called us to influence the people in our lives.
Consider your kids, spouses, small group, co-workers, friends, family; what are you repeating to them? Take time today to consider what bears repeating in their lives.
Photo by Aaron Burden