Dear Lord,
If our kids are consumed with other things, how will they see You?
They are busy with sports, music, and other activities.
They have their phones in their hand constantly.
How are they going to see You?
Do we justify it?
“Everyone’s busy.”
“All kids are like that.”
“I didn’t pray and read my Bible at that age either.”
Or, despite the excuses do we stand firm and take on the challenge of training up our children in the way they should go?
We know their future is in Your hands.
But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t speak wisdom into their lives. That doesn’t mean we give in to what everyone else is doing.
You have entrusted them to us.
Not until they’re 10 or 13 or until they start driving, etc.
We are their authority.
They need rules.
They need boundaries.
They need to learn respect.
If none of this is taught at home, how do we expect them to ever follow You?
We can be happy with raising nice kids that have never done anything “bad,” or we can dig in, fight, and raise kids who are different.
Who realize this world doesn’t revolve around them.
Who realize some kids won’t have food today. Or a warm place to sleep.
Or parents who love them.
Kids who aren’t just existing here and living a comfortable life, but who are here to make a difference in someone else’s life.
Whose fault is it if our kids-who are just kids- are not following the path they should be on?
What can we, as parents, do differently?
We have to stop taking the easy way out.
We have to transition from the noun “parent” to the verb “parent.”
This may mean…wait…no, this WILL mean going against what some parents are doing.
This will mean our kids thinking we’re sometimes unreasonable and out of touch.
This will mean our kids will get angry sometimes.
But aren’t we here for the big picture?
Proverbs 27:6 says, “Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.”
Sometimes our kids might think we are doing things to hurt them, but sometimes doing hard things, even when they hurt, are necessary to bring about the desired result in the end.
I don’t want to be an enemy of my child.
I don’t want to give them things they want now just to give them temporary happiness.
I want to dig in, stand firm, and do everything I can to show them that You have a plan and a purpose for them. That their life is bigger than themselves and their desires.
Amen! Thank you for sharing from one mother to another.