What can the Apostle Paul’s words in Philippians 3:1 teach us about parenting, repetition, and joy? In this episode of the Key Ministry Podcast, Dr. Chris Hulshof shares a powerful reflection on how repetition—so often seen as tedious or tiresome—can actually be a gift from God. Drawing from Scripture, personal experience, and wisdom from G.K. Chesterton, Dr. Hulshof helps us see how repetition in our lives, especially as parents of children impacted by disability, mirrors the steadfast heart of God.
In This Episode
- Discover why Paul’s words in Philippians 3:1 are a model for gospel-centered repetition.
- Learn how repetition creates safety, stability, and connection—especially for children with disabilities.
- Understand why joy, not frustration, can accompany the routines we repeat daily.
- Hear how parenting moments mirror God’s own heart toward His creation.
- Be encouraged to find grace in the monotony of everyday faithfulness.
“To write the same things to you is not troublesome to me, and for you it is a safeguard.” — Philippians 3:1
The Reality of Repetition
Dr. Hulshof begins by unpacking Paul’s simple but profound phrase: “To write the same things to you.” Paul acknowledges that repetition is necessary in relationships and discipleship. In the same way, many parents—especially those raising children with disabilities—find themselves saying and doing the same things again and again. Whether it’s a familiar joke, a goodbye routine, or a movie quote, repetition becomes part of the fabric of love.
Like Paul writing to the Philippians, Dr. Hulshof reminds us that some things must be repeated. These repeated moments are not failures of communication, but acts of care and consistency.
The Response to Repetition
Paul continues, “To write the same things to you is not troublesome to me.” His tone reflects love and joy, not irritation. Even while imprisoned, Paul expresses joyful contentment that transcends circumstance. His willingness to repeat himself flows out of affection for the Philippians—his “favorite” church, as Dr. Hulshof notes—and a heart anchored in gratitude.
For parents, this becomes a spiritual challenge. Repetition can often feel exhausting, but when viewed through Paul’s example, it becomes an opportunity to cultivate joy. When frustration creeps in, Dr. Hulshof shares how prayer transforms his perspective: “Father, I’m struggling as a dad here. Like Paul, I want to say this is a happy task, but it doesn’t feel like that.” God meets him in that prayer and helps him see the joy reflected in his son’s eyes during moments of repetition.
The Rationale for Repetition
Paul explains the purpose behind his repetition: “...for you it is a safeguard.” Repetition provides both safety and stability. Dr. Hulshof illustrates this through an everyday example—passing by “The Backyard,” a favorite spot for his son. If he suddenly refused to repeat their familiar exchange, his son’s sense of safety would be shaken. In love, Dr. Hulshof chooses consistency, knowing that repeated words anchor his son’s world.
In the same way, God’s repetition in creation—His daily renewal of the world—anchors ours.
“Children have abounding vitality... For grown-up people are not strong enough to exult in monotony. But perhaps God is strong enough to exult in monotony.” — G.K. Chesterton, Orthodoxy
Dr. Hulshof concludes that perhaps his son’s love for repetition reflects something divine—a heart more like God’s than our own weary adult hearts. In those moments of frustration, his prayer becomes simple: “God, make my heart like his, so that my heart looks like Yours.”
Resources Mentioned
- Philippians 3:1 — “To write the same things to you is not troublesome to me, and for you it is a safeguard.”
- Orthodoxy by G.K. Chesterton
- Letter to the Philippians (Philippians 1:7–8, referenced in discussion)
About the Host & Guest
Host: Dr. Chris Hulshof — Associate Professor of Christian Ministries at Liberty University and speaker with Key Ministry. Dr. Hulshof brings a biblical lens to the challenges and joys of parenting, disability ministry, and daily faithfulness.
View Transcript Summary
Welcome to Key Ministry, the Podcast
I'm Dr. Chris Halschoff, and I'm excited that you’ve chosen to take a few minutes out of your day to join us here on Key Ministry, the Podcast.
On the third Thursday of every month, we gather to talk about a theology of disability—why we do the things we do as it relates to disability ministry, and what the theological heart is behind it.
Today, we’re going to talk specifically about repetition, and how we might have a theology of repetition based on something Paul says to the Philippian Christians.
If I asked you about your favorite things—favorite dessert, favorite drink, favorite team—you might have answers ready. For me, it’s key lime pie (the tart kind that makes your eyes squint), a cold bottle of Doritos, and the Detroit Red Wings.
If we took it spiritual—your favorite book of the Bible? I’d probably say Ecclesiastes, maybe Leviticus… or maybe John. Your favorite Christian holiday? Not Christmas or Easter for me—it’s Ascension Day.
And your favorite Bible verse related to disability ministry? For me, lately, it’s Philippians 3:1:
“To write the same things to you is not troublesome to me, and for you, it is a safeguard.”
That verse has been especially meaningful to me because my son thrives on repetition. He loves doing, watching, and hearing the same things. Much of my life as a dad involves repetition. And I find that I need the same encouragement Paul gives here.
In Philippians 3:1, Paul gives us three elements of a theology of repetition—three encouragements for those of us whose lives involve repetition.
1. The Reality of Repetition
Paul says, “To write the same things to you.” He acknowledges that he’s repeating himself to the Philippians. Commentators debate exactly what he’s repeating, but there’s no question he’s said it before. Paul recognizes that in relationships, repetition is necessary.
Some things must be repeated things. That’s true in parenting too. I find myself repeating jokes, patterns, phrases, fist bumps—over and over. And like Paul, I can say, “To say the same things to you…”
There’s a reality to repetition: some things have to be said again for love and connection to remain steady.
2. The Response to Repetition
Paul writes, “To write the same things to you is not troublesome to me.” He wants the Philippians to know it’s not a burden or irritation. He doesn’t mind repeating himself—it’s a happy task.
Why?
First, because Paul loves this church. If you asked Paul his favorite church, I think he’d say the Philippians. No church cared for or supported him like they did. He writes in Philippians 1:7–8:
“You have a special place in my heart… God knows how much I love you and long for you with the tender compassion of Christ Jesus.”
Paul’s affection for them made repetition joyful, not wearisome.
Second, because Paul’s attitude in life was one of joy and contentment. Philippians is full of the words joy and rejoice. Even while imprisoned, Paul finds joy. His contentment reframes repetition—it’s not a burden but a delight.
That challenges me as a dad. Some days repetition feels like a happy task, but other days it doesn’t. In those moments, I ask God to teach me Paul’s joyful contentment—to find joy in the jokes, the routines, the things I’ve said a thousand times.
When I pray like that, God helps me see the joy in my son’s eyes when I repeat something familiar. The same wonder he had the first time is still there the fortieth time—and God reminds me that repetition builds connection and joy.
3. The Rationale for Repetition
Paul says repetition is a safeguard. Something safe happens when we repeat. It gives stability and security.
For me, that truth comes to life in a story. There’s a place near us called The Backyard, a group of food trucks. My son thought it was funny because it wasn’t a real backyard, and one day when we drove past, he said, “Look, there’s The Backyard again!” I joked back, “The Backyardagains? Pablo, Tasha, Uniqua, Tyrone, Austin—is that you?”
He burst out laughing—and now every time we drive by, he waits for me to say it again. If I ever refused—if I said, “I’m done saying that”—it would rip away that sense of safety and stability he finds in our little ritual.
That’s what Paul means: repetition builds safety and stability. It’s a safeguard.
A Final Reflection
When repetition feels discouraging, I’m reminded of one of my favorite writers, G.K. Chesterton. In Orthodoxy, he wrote:
“Children have an abounding vitality… therefore they want things repeated and unchanged. They always say, ‘Do it again,’ and the grown-up person does it again until he’s nearly dead. For grown-up people are not strong enough to exult in monotony.
But perhaps God is strong enough to exult in monotony. It is possible that God says every morning, ‘Do it again’ to the sun, and every evening, ‘Do it again’ to the moon… For we have sinned and grown old, and our Father is much younger than we are.”
Maybe my son’s love for repetition—his childlike heart—is closer to God’s than mine.
So when repetition feels frustrating, I pray:
“God, make my heart like his, so my heart looks like Yours.”
Thank you for joining us on Key Ministry, the Podcast.
Take a few minutes to scroll through our episodes—there’s plenty of great content and encouragement for your disability ministry journey. You are not alone.
