Parents, It's In Your Job Description

Patsy and I, with our children

Part of my daily Bible reading is from a devotional entitled "The Word For You Today".

There was a particular daily devotion that caught my attention, and I'd like

to share it with those that may not have had the opportunity to read it.

Abraham had a nephew named Lot who succeeded in business, but lost his family.  How come?
 
Because:

(a) he had the wrong emphasis - he placed material success above spiritual success;

(b) he had the wrong environment - he thought his children could live in Sodom and not be affected by it;

(c) he had the wrong expectation - he thought he could change his surroundings by compromising with them;

(d) he set the wrong example - he thought his family would follow his instructions; instead they followed his lifestyle;

(e) he had the wrong relationships - he didn't realize until it was too late, how much Sodom had influenced his family. 

If you think you can live by the worlds rules and expect your children to follow God's, you're kidding yourself.  Instead of preaching about the shoes you want your children to fill, walk in them!  Lead by example. 

Outside of your influence as a parent, the four greatest influences in your child's life are their peers, the inter net, media and music.  And all four are either working for you or against you. 

You say, "But I'm really busy right now."  Get un-busy!  Rethink your priorities.  Your child's character is being molded 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:
"And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up." Deut. 6:6-7

(2) Train them:
"Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it."  Proverbs 22:6

(3) Provide for them:
"For children are not obligated to save up for their parents, but parents for their children."  2 Corinthians 12:14b 

(4) Nurture them:
"Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord."  Eph. 6:4 

(5) discipline them:
"No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." 
                           Hebrews 12:11

(6) Love them:
"And so train the young women to love their husbands and children."  Titus 2:4.



Our beautiful grandchildren

 The truth is, you have no greater responsibility!


God Bless and Press On
Larry