As a Christian parent, I can’t make my child love God.
But as a Christian parent, my biggest responsibility is to point them to God.
For 18 years, I am responsible for making choices, setting rules, removing distractions, and doing whatever I can to make sure that my child knows that a personal relationship with God is THE most important thing that they need.
If they learn to pray and read the Bible, they will be able to withstand the storms of life. They will have the wisdom they need to make tough decisions. They will know that it is important to respect authority. They will know the importance of hard work. They will want to show love to others.
We can set an example, but our children must make the decision to follow Christ. They must make Him a priority.
Maybe you have a child 18 or under, and they are struggling; lying; cheating; disrespecting; depressed; or just simply not making time for God. We can’t just complain about it. We can’t throw our hands up in the air and wonder where we went wrong. We can’t just hope that it gets better. We are responsible for our children!
We must be committed to pray for them.
We must be an example.
We must take away distractions.
We must discipline them.
They are going to get upset with us. They might not want to talk to us. But guess what? I’m willing to take that chance, if it means my child knowing the joy of a personal relationship with God; knowing the peace that comes through prayer when they are worried; knowing that death is real, but it is not the end for those who love God; knowing that God is always near, when they seek Him.
Proverbs 13:24 says, “…but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them.”
With so many things vying for our children’s attention, we can’t expect them to always make the right decisions. It’s our responsibility, not theirs!
“Discipline your children, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to their death.” Proverbs 19:18
