One of our favorite family vacation sites is a beautiful beach community located in an adjoining state. We like to go there during the “off season” when few tourists are around. Though the ocean water is a little chilly, we enjoy swimming in an indoor pool. Also, there’s a lazy river that surrounds the pool and holds a special appeal for our kids. They’ve tried to swim against its current over the years, only to be carried in the opposite direction.
My husband and I must frequently swim against the flow of society’s values in order to bring our children into a healthy, godly understanding of who they are. Whether we’re considering our experience in youth ministry or my work in Christian education, we return to this truth: We’re ultimately responsible for the spiritual education of our children.
Active training of our children can be exhausting (Proverbs 22:6). Following the flow of society in our parenting choices, however, will lead to “lazy river” results for our children—an aimless journey affording them no real direction and little strength (Proverbs 29:18). Likewise, keeping them sheltered in Christian environments won’t do much better in preparing them for the rigors of true discipleship (Matthew 22:9; Mark 16:15).
While the greatest spiritual deposit I can make in my children’s lives is to bring God’s knowledge and discipline to them (Proverbs 22:15,17-19), I must also understand that they’ll never learn to persevere in their faith if I remove every obstacle of pain or discouragement from their paths. The training pool isn’t always easy, but as we look to God’s Word we can rest in His promise that “the LORD preserves those with knowledge” (Proverbs 22:12).
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Hebrews 12:1-13
More:
Read Matthew 5:1-16 and consider how parents can actively develop in their children the attributes that Jesus presents.
Next:
What are some valuable lessons you learned from your parents or other influential adults? How has the Word challenged you recently in your relationship with your kids or other children you know?
ghchong on December 18, 2014 at 4:08 am
erm… Still waters run deep?
Regina Franklin on December 18, 2014 at 8:04 am
I am sorry, ghchong, but I do not understand your reference.
ghchong on December 18, 2014 at 2:40 pm
Yes, another proverb goes ‘he who teaches all teaches ill,’ according to first page results of an internet search. I guess I had really been thinking/talking about the English proverbs.
Gary Shultz on December 18, 2014 at 6:14 am
You, as many others, have found the worth of investing in young lives. May you and your family continue to follow this great work as the Lord directs. May your soul be refreshed as we celebrate the reason why we press on. I pray this Christmas will be a time of great joy to you.
Regina Franklin on December 18, 2014 at 8:06 am
Thank you so much, Gary! I love what John says–that he has no greater joy than to see his children (for us both biological and spiritual) walking in truth (3 John 1:4)! Blessings to you.
Purpose on December 18, 2014 at 11:31 pm
This account so broke my heart, breaks my heart. On the surface, we appear a happy family and home. However, having not insisted on my children’s schooling, both by myself and as we insist and ‘force’ them to attend secular ‘Sunday’ schooling, I have failed my family, children and wife. My son (23), who sniffs heroine, is on it largely due to my neglect of him – of this i am certain. My daughters, and i can only think by the grace and mercy of God, do not do drugs – they lead ‘normal’ Christ-less lives.
They are still relatively young, the eldest being 28, the youngest, 14.
Regina Franklin on January 19, 2015 at 10:46 am
Dear Purpose,
As I read your comment again today in my email box, I wanted to let you know I am praying for your family. May you hear the voice of the Lord speaking His love over you, and may you find the strength to move forward and forgive yourself, as He so freely forgives us. Most of all, may you never give up interceding for your family. He is the God of restoration–don’t give up in fighting for your children in prayer.
Winn Collier on December 21, 2014 at 2:58 pm
after a more than taxing weekend with our two boys, I keep remembering that “love covers a multitude of sins.” Thanks be to God for love.