Dad sent me this today:
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Ask any parent, and he will tell you that the most important thing in his life is his children. If we think we can live by the world's rules and expect our children to follow God's we're mistaken. Instead of preaching about the shoes we want them to fill, walk in them ! Lead by example. Outside of you influence as a parent, the greatest four influences in your child's life are his peers, the internet. The media and music. All four are either working for you or against you. Your child's character is being moulded each day; the question is, by whom?
God's Word clearly states that these six things constitute your job description as a parent:
1. Instruct them (Deuteronomy 6:6-7)
2. Train them (Proverbs 22:6)
3. Provide for them (2 Corinthians 12:14)
4. Nurture them (Ephesians 6:4)
5. Discipline them (1 Timothy 3:4)
6. Love them (Titus 2:4)
The truth is, as a parent, you have no greater responsibility. How are you doing ?
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Ask any parent, and he will tell you that the most important thing in his life is his children. If we think we can live by the world's rules and expect our children to follow God's we're mistaken. Instead of preaching about the shoes we want them to fill, walk in them ! Lead by example. Outside of you influence as a parent, the greatest four influences in your child's life are his peers, the internet. The media and music. All four are either working for you or against you. Your child's character is being moulded each day; the question is, by whom?
God's Word clearly states that these six things constitute your job description as a parent:
1. Instruct them (Deuteronomy 6:6-7)
2. Train them (Proverbs 22:6)
3. Provide for them (2 Corinthians 12:14)
4. Nurture them (Ephesians 6:4)
5. Discipline them (1 Timothy 3:4)
6. Love them (Titus 2:4)
The truth is, as a parent, you have no greater responsibility. How are you doing ?
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I find it interesting that of the 6 things the Bible commands us to do, five require us to spend time with our children. And Adam and I find this the hardest challenge: to make sure that even when we are providing (away from our children), that we make sure we spend every possible minute WITH them (which is when we love, nurture, discipline, train and instruct them). And by being WITH them, we find that we are challenged even more to be PRESENT, not on our phones, working, or listening with half an ear.
To my friends: I'm sure you feel the same! May God multiply the minutes you have with your children into hours, and, as men and women of influence, help other parents to value the true importance (and inheritance) of the time that we give to our children.
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