Letters to My Children: Training

My daughter won’t grow up to be an example of righteousness by herself. My son won’t learn godliness or uprightness simply by existing in this world. God has stressed, time and again, the necessity of training children in His ways…and consistent training will help them become one of God’s children later on in life.

Solomon (the wisest man to walk on the earth in Old Testament time) gives us God’s wisdom on the matter of training children: “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it” (Proverbs 22:6). The importance of training a child in the ways of the Lord can never be overstated. However, this MUST involve the presence of the parents of a child. Presence = time.

See, teaching has to become training. Training involves a supervisor (one who knows the right way to do things by experience). Parents are to be trainers, not just teachers. Kathi Hudson, in her book Raising Kids God’s Way, says that “training always involves teaching, but teaching seldom includes training.”

We, as parents, have to train our kids in the things of God…not just teach them the things of God! We need to be an example of what it means to live as a Christian. We’re the way they see the light of God. How has your light been shining?

Letters to My Children: The Neutrality Myth

Every day brings with it the opportunity to see God. Whether it be in the birds that fight over the feeder seed in the front yard, or the smiles on the faces of the elderly during a visit…God’s hand can be seen everywhere. Creation demands a Creator. That certain and infallible conclusion of Intelligent Design (fashioning a creation which is far above what is accidental or mortal) leaves us, as Paul says, “without excuse.” (Romans 1:20) There is no neutral ground when it comes to the truth that “God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1)

In the same way, there is no neutral ground when it comes to helping my daughter (and soon-to-be-born son) see God’s life-lessons in everyday objects and tasks. Each new day will bring an opportunity for me to teach them to see God.

For example, in the garden, they will see how a handful of seeds can cover a whole hillside with food. The lesson: those seeds aren’t brought to life by water and fertilizer…God gives the increase. They will realize that it is truly “better to give than to receive” when some of the fruits of that garden are given to the people at church, or an elderly person who is unable to put out a garden for themselves (Acts 20:35). They will be taught to work…to earn what they have…to appreciate putting in their due labor because “if a man doesn’t work, neither should he eat.” (II Thessalonians 3:10) They will be taught patience by having to wait on the Lord for the changing of the seasons…for the rain and sunshine necessary for vegetation to grow.

Either I give God the credit and glory (teaching them to see Him and rely on Him), or I give credit to something else. There is no neutral ground. I either teach them to see God…or I don’t. What opportunity have you been missing to teach your kids about God?

Letters to My Children: Preventable Injury

As parents, we take every precaution imaginable to “child-proof” the dangers in our homes. We place cleaning supplies and sharp objects well outside the reach of our children because we want to protect them. Physically, we don’t want any injury to befall our children which we could have prevented. What about spiritually?

Kacie and I have pretty much come to the point where we won’t watch some of our favorite T.V. shows on NBC until Kenlea is asleep (as a side-note: I have to admit that Kacie was the better Christian parent on this one, and I thank the good Lord for her every day). Programs that we used to have no problem watching…have now become a problem. It’s interesting how we don’t notice how many cuss words and profanities are used in a movie (or sitcom) until we watch them in the presence of a pure and innocent child. Physically, we don’t want any injury to befall our children which we could’ve prevented…what about spiritually?

“Train up a child in the way he should go…” (Proverbs 22:6) “These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” (Deuteronomy 6:6-8) What spiritual injury are you allowing into your child’s life…which you could be preventing?