Nathan, a warrior for His kingdom, bringing light , beauty and innocence into the dark places of Hollywood.
Read his post, to see his heart. (and all of you moms who worry that your children cannot punctuate or sit still for math–trust God! He has a dream and a future for your children to fulfill. Don’t focus too much on the details, but be sure to build their heart. I am so encouraged to see what he wrote–and by the way, it did make me cry!)
Now, be sure to read my post! Long, but I hope, encouraging!
“I do not ask you to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one.” Jesus, about His disciples, in John 17: 15
Not too long ago, a friend whispered to me at a conference, “Sally, there are all sorts of women that I know who attend your conferences because they are encouraged, but they are criticizing you behind your back. They are asking the question, ‘How did the Clarksons allow their son to move to Hollywood, such a wicked place, if they have such high moral ideals?’ They think you are living a compromise to your life as a Christian.”
I am not surprised at statements like these. We get them all the time. I have always told my children that if you stand up to lead, you automatically become a target.
Yet, I also understand the concerns of these people who are criticizing us. I did not ask God to send my children into difficult, morally challenging arenas. But I did ask Him to help Clay and me build them into godly leaders who would take His light to a dark world. And, since they are adults and we released them into God’s hands to follow what road He put on their heart, (with input from us all along the way), I spend a lot of time on my knees every day and ask for God to guide, intervene and protect my children.
Yet, I think at some point in the Christian life, regardless of peers, our church’s stand, our friend’s opinions, blogs, loud voices giving pontificating statements, we must decide just who we think Jesus is and how His life and words should influence the way we live and the choices we make. I think there are few radical Christians and I think He calls us to live radically–even if that means staying at home with your children or serving Him in in the world in an unusual places–we must follow Him, not anyone else.
Jesus, the exact image of God, related to prostitutes and offered them a clean slate of forgiveness, and allowed them to touch Him and wash His feet.
Jesus, touched the infirm and contaminated–the lepers, the woman who was unclean, the blind, the sick.
Jesus looked out on the multitudes not with condemnation, but with compassion and told us to pray that God would send laborers into the harvest. He also sent His disciples into the world to redeem it.
Jesus did not exalt and affirm the Pharisees who had rules and laws for everything and stayed away from the “wicked” folk. Instead, he told the parable of the Good Samaritan, one of the “unacceptable” from a religious point of view, but the only one who was able to please God. He honored because he got involved, because he lived in a compassionate way and gave of his life to save the beaten man, a victim of thieves, unlovely and in the dirt.
I think serving Jesus will, at some point, make all of us uncomfortable.
And so, I had to confront my own belief in what I thought was most Biblical in philosophy for raising children.
I wanted an Anne of Green Gables life that was safe, protected and always g-rated. But, that is not the world God into which He placed me.
So I had to consider, “What is your will for my children.” He answered, “To follow Jesus to the cross, to be willing to give up their lives to redeem the world for His glory–to become a warrior for Christ’s kingdom.
A warrior is one who sees the battle in his land, and is willing to sacrifice his life to protect those he loves, to save them from harm and to engage the enemy in battle. Battle is rough, costly, difficult and requires sacrifice for the sake of the people who are being warred against.
Now a refugee, on the other hand, is one who runs away from the battle, in order to protect himself or his loved ones. When there is no defense against the enemy, often, people are forced to flee. But in fleeing away from the battle, they leave no impact, no defense, for those left in the wake of the raging enemy army.
Often I see parents who raise their children to run away from the cultural battles and to stay far off from those who are lost and broken and who have scars and difficulties. They find it easy to criticize those who are engaged in bringing the light of Christ into the arena of darkness–this is the place in which our family receives criticism.
I will admit that the world can be a very fearful place to be.
But, God has asked me, as a mom, to live by faith, not to look to the limitations of my own life and this wicked world we live in, but to the God who tells us to overcome evil with good, to remain faithful, to endure.
So, as a mom, I had to ask, “Would He have me do anything less than send my own children, as God sent His own son, into the world to redeem dark places?”
And so when we read in the Psalms,
“Praise be to the LORD my Rock,who trains my hands for war,my fingers for battle.
He is my loving God and my fortress,my stronghold and my deliverer,my shield, in whom I take refuge,
who subdues peoples under me.” Psalm 144: 1-2,
we would pray with our children. ”Lord, these are your children created by you with a personality and a purpose. Train our children for the spiritual warfare in which they will engage. Prepare them for the battles they will confront. Be their fortress, their stronghold, deliverer and shield. They are not ours to hold on to, but ours to prepare for your kingdom purposes.”
Depending on what you decide, preparing one to run away from the battle or to engage in the battle, will require a very different parenting philosophy.
But as for the Clarksons, we will seek to engage in the battle, and rub shoulders with the lost, because we cannot do other than what our Lord and savior showed us to do–to go into the world to make disciples, to see the multitudes with compassion and to become workers in the Harvest field of the world.
Beautiful! I can only pray that I can be the godly influence to my children, that you have been to yours. Your children are blessed to call you mom:o)
True, very true. Warriors not refugees. Wouldn’t we all like the sanitized life? But that’s not what God has called us to, nor is it the reality of the world we live in. Thank you for sharing.
I so needed this today – especially the line, “They are not ours to hold on to, but ours to prepare for your kingdom purposes.” Thank you for the timely reminder and well-spoken words.
Amen and amen! I, too, would love that simple quiet Anne-girl life for me and for my family, but God has so many other plans for us. I can’t wait to see how God equips and uses my children in their future, and I pray that I will stand behind them in wherever or whatever it may be as they stand firm as warriors for HIM!
Thanks for this today!
Blessings
I absolutely agree with you and scripture. This is exactly what this generation needs. We need our children to be trained in the army of God. Well done, well said, Sally.
Excellent post!! This is exactly why I sometimes even struggle with homeschooling verses sending them to school. I don’t want refugees!!! But I know they must be trained first! May we all train our children for His army!! And send out warriors!! May God Bless your son.
Beautiful! When you first said people were criticizing I thought… what on earth could they criticize?! I see now. I see that we agree.
Thank you.
Thanks for writing this. It is exactly what is in my heart. I don’t have sons, but I have daughters that are choosing to give their lives for Christ in somewhat unusual places and ways…. Definitely not the norm, for sure. I believe they are warriors and I hope they marry warriors that will support and lead them in the way they should go……
We need warriors like Nathan in Hollywood to be a light and start an awakening to the lost for God’s Kingdom. I know so many christian homeschooled kids who have been given talents in film, photography, script writing, actors whom I know God will do great things with their lives to glorify Him such as making quality family films. I know several who are in Hollywood also; kids who have been raised in Godly homes. It will be exciting to see how God unfolds this beautiful story He has written for these children’s lives!
Amen! Warriors! I’m raising warriors
. Thanks for helping us on this path of motherhood! I LOVE what Nathan is doing! He’s a bright star in a dark place!
Courtney
I Love You Sally! Thank you for sharing.
Sally,,,
This was a post that God revealed much about how He worked in your life with your children.. but as you know… God’s purposes are many…
and your sharing these thoughts from your heart and life, were of great encouragement to me today.
This very thing is something that I have been on my knees about for many months. I am so thankful that motherhood is a path that we follow with prayer… otherwise,,, I would be so blind.
Blessings to your Nathan! God has truly revealed that your following HIS plan for your children’ and not the whispers and fear of man, has reaped many rewards.
I am attending Relevant again this year,,, I was there last year, and had hoped to thank you for allowing the Lord to use your life,,, for the encouragement of many.
Perhaps I can catch up with you this year for a little chat.
Blessings Sally!
September
It never dawned on me that people would give you flack for your son’s choice to work in an area full of people that need to know God. I think it is amazing how you and Clay have raised your children, and that Nathan would have such a heart for the lost, that he would be willing to go to a place so morally compromised, in hopes that many would turn their lives around. I have a friend in the theater and she is one of the few bright lights to her co-workers. She must be such a blessing and such a fresh of breath air, just as I’m sure Nathan is.
Sally, so encouraging. It’s easier to flee from the battle where we feel safe and our children are secure but what depth of faith will they ever have if we don’t prepare and expect to go to battle. Thank you for this! And thank you for reminding me that there is hope for those children of mine that can’t spell cat if you spotted them the c and the t! Love to you!
Thank you for this post, Sally. I prayed for a long time when my kids were little that they wouldn’t be cookie cutter Christians who filled a pew but didn’t truly engage. When they hit that preteen age the Lord reminded me of that prayer–and promised me they wouldn’t be cookie cutters. THEN it was a little more apparent what that prayer really was. Whew. My two oldest have neither chosen safe or expected career paths. But I’m convinced that is where God wants them. Like you, I get to spend lots of time on my knees. Watching them only redoubles my desire to pour into the younger two while they are still at home. I ask God to prepare them for where He takes them.
We need godly leaders and thinkers to be working, influencing and engaging in all spheres of society- media, the arts, politics, education, etc… so good for Nathan! How else will we bring good news except by getting out there?! Forget the naysayers- the idea that we need to stay in a safe little Christian bubble and avoid the hard places is not biblical! If that were the case the gospel would have never spread. The Greco-Roman world was just as immoral as Hollywood today!
Reminds me of The Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning.
Amen Sistah! Oh, how I just LOVE YOU Clarksons! Perfect! Praying for you and your sweet family.
Great post, Sally. I pray the same for my own children: that they will be the light shining in dark places. Unfortunately those places won’t be hard to find, as there are not many light places left in our world!
Thank you, Sally for letting your warrior life flow into our lives. You are a shining example of one who seeks to follow God with EVERYTHING you’ve got and I love that about you. Blessings as you continue the bloody battle at the front lines for homes and families around th world. Love you, Kristen
Thank you for the great reminder….Radical Call….JESUS. I think we forget who He really was. In our songs and movie presentations of Him, we tame Him. It reminds me of the line in Narnia…”After all, He is not a tame lion.”
Great reminder for leading our three boys…
Thank you for the post. Grieves my heart that you even have to write it. Overwhelmed there are so many ‘Christians’ that do not ‘get’ the call of Jesus on our lives. We are here to shine Jesus into this dark world. This is not heaven but we are here to bring heaven down to earth. We are all called to the least of these. O Father have mercy on us. I am overwhelmed with intercession for the church to rise up and release the Kingdom of Heaven…release freedom to the captives of poverty, porn, abuse,…Oh Jesus help us equip our little warriors for the war. Thank you, Jesus.
This was powerful. Thank you. I even wrote down your prayer to pray over my children!
This was so helpful and inspiring! I’d love to hear more about the “how-to” of this. How do we equip our children to be warriors for the Lord? We’ve already had times of needing to have our children (currently ages 8-11) back away from certain friendships because they were influencing our children in wrong ways. How do we teach our children to strive to be holy and set apart (in a biblical way) without becoming judgemental? To be strong enough to reach out to the lost, without being pulled down. Thank you, Sally, for your ministry. I hope you write more on this topic!!!
So great! I am so thankful for your wisdom, Sally!
Loved Nathan’s blog (and his girlfriends). I think it is fabulous that he is in Hollywood. I am doing my best, with God’s help, to raise warriors. At this point, I do not homeschool. Honestly, I teach them to shine their light at school. I am very involved in their education/school and we do our best to spread life and love as we live with our community. HOWEVER, when I see that the world is shaping them more than their parents, I reconsider. For example, we just moved away from an area because the influences of our suburban area were affecting my daughter so much that her light could no longer shine. We considered homeschooling, as well as moving. We decided to move. We are living in an apartment and praying God would place us in the exact neighborhood/community He wants us. The kids are choosing friends that will build them up in their faith, and loving their community. It has been a grand adventure!
Wow! This is great. It is very easy to have an “Anne of Green Gables” mindset when you have litlle ones at home. But you are right; they will one day need to face face a world that looks nothing like “Green Gables” and nothing like their home life. I definitely want to raise warriors!
Thank you for this post!
I am amazed at how God speaks to you and gives you such wisdom. You are truly inspiring.
I agree with you about encouraging our children to do whatever they are called to do but I do believe that it is not at all our (or your) job to send them anywhere. God has that under control.
I have always loved your balance and your heart for Mothering. YOU made me a better Mom. I love you for that.
There is one area I struggle repeatedly with though. I get proud of myself too easily. I have to work to remind myself that it’s NOT right for me to give my parenting the credit for who my children become or pat myself on the proverbial parenting back when they make great choices and appear to be doing everything right. It is also not for me to take on a huge burden of “Where did I go wrong?” if they choose to take a path (however temporary) that looks counter-productive to the way they have been raised.
I love the boldness demonstrated by your son. It makes me happy to see young people with that kind of drive and compassion and commitment.
I also get downright indignant when people shake their heads and question the decision to allow a young person to make their own decisions. I want to send you *hugs* for having to deal with people second-guessing your parenting decisions and then telling you about it. WOW.
There are just so many levels of “wrong” to our deciding how right or wrong someone else’s parenting choices are. Somehow we need to find a way to encourage parents to see their kids as REAL PEOPLE whom God can speak to without our interference.
Great post!
We, too, are “not normal” amongst the homeschooling crowd, as we have encouraged our children to follow the Lord, follow their God-given passions and dreams. We did not set up a “this is how to be successful” plan for them to follow. We allowed the Lord to to determine His definition of success for each of them.
We have 6 young adult children (ages 21, 22, 22, 24, 26, 27 … 3 boys/3 girls). We have 1 college graduate … 3 traveled the world with YWAM doing missions (short term and long term) … 2 who have been in the military … 1 who lived in Ammon, Jordan for a year going to Arabic Language School … 1 who has been a missionary in Argentina for 3 years … 2 who have worked as full-time nanny’s for a couple of years. Between 4 of the young adults, they have ministered in 17 countries in the past 10 years. God has directed each of them in ways that none of us could have ever dreamed as we read Christian biographies for their homeschool History class. (These biographies gave them such a vision of the Lord doing extraordinary things through ordinary people.)
I must point out, that 3 of these young adults are GIRLS … and the Lord has done amazing things in them and through them. I am so very sad for the families who will not allow their girls to leave their homes until they are married. Yes, I trained up my daughters to be homemakers and mommies … but the Lord chose to take them all over the world before it is His time to bring them home to their own families.
Now that those 6 are grown and gone (across the country and around the world), we have 6 younger children (ages 9, 10, 11, 12, 15, 18 … 3 boys/3 girls) to focus on … to train up in how to hear God’s voice.
I had to laugh at the criticism that you “allowed” your son to go to Hollywood. Isn’t he an ADULT? I am so grieved by parents who do not allow/encourage their adults to make their own decisions. Yes, we pray that they will listen to our wisdom, but we MUST allow them to grow up and BE adults (and to suffer the consequences if they make a poor decision).
Laurel
Twice now my little 3 year old boy, Noah, has been prayed over and prophesied over as a “warrior for the Lord”. As much as this excited me, there was also a bit a fear. What does this mean for Noah? What do I need to do as a mom? Thank you for this blog. It really resonated with me.
Thank you again for sharing. I was feeling a fearful spirit creep up against me the other day while talking to my hubby about our young childrens futures. Although young, we see that it’s very likely our 10 year old will join the Army. Of course he has time to find out, but the thought of him going into that very intense environment of pornography, sex, drugs, alcohol, the world… has been causing me to not trust our heavenly Father for His plan. I have sinned, I see that now, in not trusting Him and releasing my kiddos into His hands. I see that even now it starts…. it is that way already. They are His, not mine. I thank you for your example!
One of my favorite quotes relates to this topic: “A ship is safe in a port, but that is not what ships are built for.” (Grace Hopper-American scientist)
I just wish you hadn’t used Anne of Green Gables as a reference because it makes me feel so guilty for wanting an idyllic childhood for my children. In a way I live that kind of life… I live in a white house set among trees in a beautiful green valley. My name is Ann without the e and this is my house of dreams. I have given my children a wholehearted education here and I read to them from living books (guess where I first read about those!) and like Anne and Gilbert we open our home and our hearts to the people that live in our region – many lost and hurting people have moved to this place. They are the alternative types, not opposed to homeschooling at all and some are quite eccentric – not unlike the characters in the Anne books. We also have the tree changers, professionals tired of city life and even people who work in the film industry – yes! I met the father of a movie producer (top movies) at a garage sale recently. He told us how much he missed seeing his grandchildren when they travel with their parents to the States and we talked to him about family life. My older children are enterprising and have set up their own businesses. They work at the markets and meet and talk to the locals. People are impressed by them, even the ones who say they don’t like Christians much. One is our neighbour – she is into some very dark arts but we still reach out to her and invite her to our home. She says it has a great aura! We know it is the presence of the Lord and I am excited to let our house be a place of light in a valley that looks idyllic and so peaceful but is full of people who need a Saviour. They haven’t even left home yet but already witness and minister to others – they such a passion for people. Homeschooling has not turned us into refugees although it has offered some sanctuary from the influences that might taint but our home in the country where we have sought to give our children that sweet, idyllic life has proven to be an incredible training ground for raising up warriors mighty in the Lord.
It takes courage and faith to release our children into God’s Hands and then out into a lost and dying world. You are such an encouragement, Sally!
Amen Sally. Amen. As you so often tell us, it is when we choose to go against the flow that we get hit and I’m learning (with my young family) that this is truly the case. I’m so excited to see how God uses your children in every avenue they have been called. Praying for you, Charise.
Amen and amen, sister! We have little ones that we are just now folding into a lifetime of learning about who they are in Christ. We want our children to be willing to stand bold in the face of adversity, to build them up to be in the world and not of it. I am so proud of your efforts, your willingness to speak your conviction as it is upheld to the light of Christ. Bless you, your family, your continued faith walk. Dawn
Thank you for this thought-provoking post. I’ve been reading your blog regularly and you have passed on your wisdom, experiences and lessons learnt to this grateful young mother of 3. I was wondering whether the things you said in this post refers mainly to grown up children? What are your views with regards to homeschooling in the light of this post, as we’re still seeking the Lord about whether to homeschool our children.
Thank you so much.. I have been struggling with my oldest two going off to school this year and wondering if I was doing the right thing to not be cloistering them more. But this really spoke to me. How can I teach them about temptation and godly responses in the real world without exposure to the real world? this helped me feel more comfortable with the decision the LORD had placed in my heart. Thank you.
Thank you for you heartfelt words.