Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it. -Proverbs 22:6 (NIV)
Children are not a distraction from more important work. They are the most important work. -C.S. Lewis
When I look at my son, who says something funny or sweet, or even when he’s upset or crying, I see God in his innocence and purity of loving expression. I see less and less of that in adults, including myself, because it’s covered with layers and layers of callouses and scars.
The saying “more is caught than taught,” which I’ve referenced before, really resonates with me. I can’t tell you how many parts of my own personality come from my parents…the good and the bad, just like with any child and their parents.
With each day, I can see mannerisms and sayings from my son that were not explicitly taught through sit-down, how-to instruction, but by example. And this is another message to us from the Lord to straighten up our walk, for it influences our children’s walk!
If you ever wonder how to better raise them, dig deep into His Word. Pray to Him to give you the wisdom and clarity to raise them. He’s the ultimate teacher…and the Lord knows I have plenty to keep learning as a parent!
Our children are on loan to us from the Lord, and it is our privilege, honor, and duty to raise them up to follow a path that glorifies Him with each step–a path we should be treading and modeling for them. And even when we stumble, we can show our children how to take Jesus’ hand and get back on the right path again.
It could be that the greatest glorification to God we do as adults is to raise our children, who will do even greater things in His name. They will be His ambassadors on this earth long after we have have joined the Lord in heaven above.
To say children are a gift from God is no syrupy saying, but the absolute truth. And it is God’s gift, through us, to train them up in the way to walk with Him, and in doing so, our walk with Him becomes ever straighter!
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