Psalm 127:3-5 ESV
[3] Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. [4] Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. [5] Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.
Good morning all
Today we are going to be starting a parenting reflection and see what the Bible has to tell us about raising our children.
As it says in psalm, our kids are a reward from God, blessed is the one who has a bunch of them.
This verse is one of my absolute favorites, think of how arrows are created before they are shot to a target, they are carefully crafted, aerodynamic, built for speed, and accuracy. We need to think this way about our kids. Realize we are raising men/women of the future. Prepare them for life's challenges. Train them to lean on God during hard times. Show them how to be respectful for one another. Have you ever heard an elderly person get frustrated and say "kids these days will just never understand"? Each generation is going to go through the same thing, but I do truly believe that we are in one of the hardest times of parenting right now between the dangers of social media, tablets, smart phones, access to pornography, anxieties of the world. It's a different time to be a kid. We have to be very intentional in explaining to our kids the dangers of what's in the world today. How many times now days do you see kids in a group together just looking down at their phones when they should be talking and playing together? How many times do you go to a restaurant and see a family of 5 sitting together all looking at their phones when that is a special fun time to talk as a family? We need to lead our children by example. They will do as we do. Our children we are raising today will also be parents one day. I want my boys to be raised knowing their parents had time for them, and also knowing they loved them, as well as Christ loved them. I ask my kids on a daily basis to show the light of Jesus to one person that needs it today. To teach empathy, forgiveness, strength, courage, and resilience. One thing I am starting to realize is I have told my kids to be careful too much. If we are out on a hike and they want to climb up a tree, or cross over a log, saying be careful. Teach them how to do it safely. A woman's nature is typically to be the nurturing one, as men we are typically the ones that teach them how to push the boundaries and take risk. Take your time with your children and realize that these days won't last forever. They will be grown someday and leave your home. I fail at this daily sometimes, but I also pray every morning for myself to be a better father to them, as well as pray for their hearts. Lead your children to Jesus and let them know they are never alone.
