PARENTS CAN reach the end of their patience. Yes, we're human too. We don't get enough sleep, are often hit with pressing issues, we get headaches, and regularly don’t have time for long explanations as to WHY.
We sometimes teach lessons by example that we never intended; you know, the ones the little rascals remember. It takes reminder after reminder to get kids to say, “Please” and “Thank you”.
How patient we must be to explain the wisdom of being kind, gracious, and sharing. Will they ever learn to take personal responsibility? We want them to behave.
But let one inappropriate word pass our lips (or angry outburst) and they will mimic it perfectly the first time—and to our horror, showcase it to family and friends!
Ahem…so I’ve heard.
We know all too well that our children will meet plenty of influencers outside the home, beginning early in life, who can fill their heads, vocabularies, and pools of “goto-actions” with a desperately poor selection of responses.
In so far as it is possible, be the parent that patiently points them to God at every opportunity. Create opportunities if you must. Imperfect as we are, model for them how they should become. Insist they get well acquainted with the words in God’s book. If you don’t, who will?
Do not underestimate the power of a Dad or Mom, or both, reading an appropriate verse or two from the Bible to their children. They are never too young to start nor too old to stop. Please. Never leave teaching spiritual matters to someone else, not even a minister; e.g., read a verse or two before a meal . . . together . . . before they get yanked out of the ground, skinned alive, and eaten. The end. Now get to it! (Re:Prvbs 22:6)
Copyright March 2021, Gary Landerfelt, MyPericope.com
Comments