Where is Jesus when your family life feels messy and overwhelming?
- Boundless Team
- Mar 22
- 7 min read
He’s right there with you—present, steady, and unshaken—because Jesus is Immanuel, “God with us,” even in the loud mornings, the sticky counters, and the moments you feel like you’re failing.
And here’s the refined nuance that can change your whole day: Jesus isn’t waiting for your home to get “put together” before He draws near. He meets you in the middle of it. In the breath between the tantrum and the apology. In the quiet second after you lose your patience and whisper, “Lord, help me.” In the ordinary, He is present—and His presence brings peace that doesn’t depend on perfect circumstances.
It is 7:15 AM on a Tuesday. There is lukewarm coffee on the counter, a pile of laundry that seems to be growing its own ecosystem in the hallway, and a toddler who has decided that today is the day they will only eat blue food. In these moments, the "theology" we talk about on Sundays can feel like it belongs in a different world. We know the big words, but do they really fit into the middle of a messy kitchen?
Today, we are looking at a foundational truth that changes everything about those messy mornings. It is the third Fundamental Truth of the Assemblies of God: The Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ.
While "deity" might sound like a word for a dusty textbook, it actually carries the most comforting promise a parent can hold onto. It means that Jesus isn't just a historical figure or a good teacher who lived a long time ago. It means He is God. And because He is God, He has the power to hold the universe together, and the heart to hold your hand through the bedtime routine.
The Scripture
"The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel (which means 'God with us')." , Matthew 1:23
"He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible... He is before all things, and in him all things hold together." , Colossians 1:15-17
Reflection: The God Who Shows Up
When we think about God, we often think of the vastness of space, the roaring of the oceans, and the majesty of the mountains. And that is correct! Our God is huge. But the miracle of Jesus, the Deity of Christ, is that this same infinite God chose to put on a pair of sandals and walk in our dust.
As parents, we spend a lot of our time managing "small" things. We manage snack portions, shoe sizes, and hurt feelings over a broken crayon. Sometimes, we might feel like our lives are too small for a Great Big God to notice. We might think He’s busy running the stars and doesn’t have time for our struggle to get the kids to school on time.
But Colossians tells us that "in Him all things hold together." That includes the big stuff like gravity and the rotation of the earth, and it includes the "small" stuff like the peace in your home and the strength in your tired bones.
Because Jesus is fully God, He is omnipresent, which is a fancy way of saying He is everywhere at once. He isn't just watching you from a distance; He is with you in the messy moments. When you are cleaning up the third spill of the day, He is there. When you are sitting in the dark, rocking a baby who won't sleep, He is there. He isn't just a "spirit" or a "feeling." He is the Living God, present and active.
The deity of Christ means that the hands that were nailed to the cross are the same hands that created the sun, and those same hands are reaching out to help you today. You aren't just a parent trying to survive; you are a child of the King, and the King is right there in the living room with you.
If you ever feel overwhelmed by the weight of raising your children, remember that you aren't the one holding everything together. He is. You can breathe out. You can let go of the pressure to be perfect because the Perfect One is standing right beside you.
Raising Little Believers: Tips for the Journey
Talking to our kids about Jesus being God doesn't have to be complicated. Here are a few ways to weave this truth into your daily rhythm:
The "Everywhere" Prayer: When you’re driving or walking, point out things God made (trees, birds, clouds). Remind your kids that Jesus helped make all of it because He is God, and because He is God, He is with us in the car right now!
Big Power, Gentle Heart: Explain to your kids that Jesus has the biggest power in the whole world (He can calm storms!), but He uses that power to love us and help us when we are sad or scared.
Look for the "Immanuel" Moments: At dinner, ask everyone, "Where did we see Jesus helping us today?" It helps kids (and us!) recognize His presence in the ordinary.
A Story for the Kids: Leo and the Great Big Little Mess
Leo was having a very "sticky" day.
It started with a jam sandwich that landed face-down on the rug. Then, it continued when his favorite blue crayon snapped in half. By the time he accidentally knocked over his glitter jar, Leo felt like a great big cloud of "Oh no!" was following him around.
"Mom!" Leo cried, looking at the sparkly mess on the floor. "Everything is messy! I can’t fix it!"
Mom sat down on the floor right next to Leo, right in the middle of the glitter. "It is a big mess, isn't it?" she said softly.
Leo nodded, a tear escaping his eye. "Is God mad that I’m messy?"
Mom smiled and pulled Leo into a hug. "Oh, Leo. Do you remember who Jesus is? He’s not just a man in a storybook. He is God. And do you know what God does?"
"He makes stars?" Leo guessed.
"He does! He makes stars and mountains and giant whales. But He also loves to be right here. One of His names is 'Immanuel,' which means 'God with us.'"
Mom picked up a pinch of glitter. "Jesus is so big that He made all the glitter in the world, but He is so kind that He stays right here with us while we clean it up. He isn't far away in the clouds, Leo. He’s right here in the kitchen, helping us be brave and patient even when things are messy."
Leo looked at the rug. It was still messy, but he didn't feel so alone anymore. If the King of the Universe was okay sitting on the floor with him, then maybe the mess wasn't so scary after all.
"Okay," Leo whispered. "Let’s clean it up together. Me, you, and Immanuel."
Hands-On Faith: The "God With Us" Lantern
This simple craft helps children visualize how Jesus brings light into our "messy" or "dark" moments.
Items Needed:
A clean, empty glass jar (or a plastic clear cup)
Tissue paper (different colors)
Glue thinned with a little water (or a glue stick)
A battery-operated tea light candle
A marker
Spiritual Connection Script: "As we stick these colorful pieces on our jar, think about how our days are full of different things, some bright and happy, some messy and dark. But when we put the light inside, the whole jar glows! Jesus is the Light who is always with us. Because He is God, His light never goes out, no matter how messy things get. Whenever you feel worried or alone, turn on your lantern and remember: Immanuel is here."
Scripture Memory Cards
Cut these out or write them on index cards to keep around the house!
Card 1
Verse: "They will call him Immanuel, which means 'God with us.'" , Matthew 1:23
Key Truth: Jesus is always right here with me.
Signature:Boundless Online Church
Card 2
Verse: "In him all things hold together." , Colossians 1:17
Key Truth: I don’t have to be perfect; Jesus holds everything together.
Signature:Boundless Online Church
Parent Discussion Guide
Heart of the Story: Jesus is not just a helper; He is the Creator and Lord. His deity means His presence has the power to bring peace, order, and hope into our daily chaos.
Theological Roots: This lesson aligns with AG Fundamental Truth #3: The Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ. We believe Jesus is the eternal Son of God who possesses all the attributes of God.
Ages 3–6 Questions:
Where is Jesus when we are playing? (Everywhere! He is with us!)
Does Jesus love us even when we make a mess? (Yes, He is our friend and our God who helps us.)
Ages 7–9 Questions:
What does the name "Immanuel" mean?
If Jesus is God and He made the whole world, does that make you feel safe? Why?
Ages 10–12 Questions:
Colossians says Jesus "holds all things together." What are some things in your life that feel like they are falling apart sometimes? How can Jesus help hold those things?
Why is it important that Jesus is God and not just a "good person"?
Action Step
Today, when you hit that "messy moment": whether it’s a tantrum, a work deadline, or just a heavy heart: stop for ten seconds. Close your eyes and say out loud: "Immanuel, thank You for being here." Invite the Creator of the universe into the mundane task in front of you.
Prayer
Dear Jesus, thank You for being Immanuel: God with us. We are so grateful that You didn't stay far away, but that You came to be near to us. When our days feel messy and our strength feels small, remind us that You are the Mighty God who holds all things together. Help our family feel Your presence in our home today. Amen.
Family Question
"If Jesus were sitting at our dinner table physically tonight, what is one thing you would want to tell Him about your day?"
Boundless Online Church An outreach ministry of First Assembly Memphis (FA Memphis) Website: www.boundlessonlinechurch.org FA Memphis: www.famemphis.org Contact: info@boundlessonlinechurch.org Join our next online family service at Boundless Online Church.
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