the sermon was in Mark 7-contrasting the Pharisee and the Greek woman.
The principle:  Outside in cleansing doesn’t work, it never gets to my heart. Things won’t change me; i need Christ’s life to change me. 

After worship, my boys show me their Bible verse, recite it from memory, hand me their paper…

“Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.”  Romans 12:10

….and proceed (with their sister) to race thru the parking lot to the car.  Pushing and shoving each other out of the way to be first.  Continuing into the car bickering over who gets to sit where along with who actually won the race.

that’s right i chuckle to myself it doesn’t happen from the outside in.  We can go to church, we can memorize scripture.  These are good things, beneficial things. Things i will keep doing-cause i’m not doing them for the sake of the kids anyway.  Yet,  the transformation of their hearts-that is not in my control.  That is done from the inside out-and by the power of the Holy Spirit.  It is one more reminder for me that my job as a parent is to partner with the Spirit-not work against Him- and i only do that by abiding with my Lord and praying constantly….CONSTANTLY.  Because i don’t know how to best parent so that He can do His work in their hearts.

 And so Jeremy and i pray and provide needed consequences, then we gather together to talk about how perfectly they have illustrated today’s sermon 🙂