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We live in a world of reasonable doubt. We can pretty much give in and rationalize just about anything. We have made tolerance an idol.
I recently watched the old movie 'Bad News Bears' with Walter Matthau. It was pretty clear to see the immaturity on the parts of the parents and coaches as it related to the raising of children in the 70's, and why the pendulum would swing toward tolerance as these children became parents. The problem with both of these viewpoints is that they have little or nothing to do with the word of God. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God[a] may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Tim 3:16-17
We live in an age of the spirit of busyness and we simply do not take time to put on the armor of God. I have noticed as I have grown older that this is much more important to me, but what did my children receive in the busy hectic years of my child-rearing? Yes, I tried, yes, I prayed, and yes, I fell way short! We all do. 'For all... fall short of the glory of God.' Rom 3:23
God knows we are human and that left to ourselves we are in total darkness, but we do not have to choose darkness. May I be so bold as to suggest that change starts with one small step? A decision on time...just do it! Time to start your day in prayer, handing over the day's circumstances in complete trust. Praying for God's constant companionship and for ears to hear His voice. Praying for the desire to know and be in His Word. You may find at lunch you start reading His word, or the stories you tell your children are His; I don't know, but I do know that when your desire aligns with His, it is a joy to watch it be fulfilled. It reaches in to the very hardest parts of our lives and makes sense of the situations that we found so impossible. We will find that we never had the answers at all, and we need not go searching man's wisdom to find them. We will find that we are God's children and we can trust Him even with our own children. Did God not say ' Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.'? Prov 22:6? He didn't say in the way you may want him to go at a particular moment. You see, this is KEY here! We analyze too much and trust too little. Hebrews 12:5-6 says "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when He rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastens everyone He accepts as His son." God knows what our children need, but do we know God so well that we trust Him when our children have to endure His discipline? Are we partners with Him in their raising and even when they are grown, in how we live our lives? Unfortunately for me, this has been one, if not the greatest trial. God gave me the overwhelming desire to nurture and protect my children but He also gave me the desire to know Him. You can nurture and protect without knowing God, but it will prove disastrous. I have found my peace when I nurture and protect according to His good Word. My yes can be yes and my no can be no with the compassion and love of Christ. It can be met with rebellion or acceptance and I can know that it is all part of my Father's plan, in bringing up my children in the way they should go so when they are old they will not depart from it.
Being a demanding hothead or a rationalizing pushover was never God's plan. His plan is for us to "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding"Prov 3:5. This will either come as a tall impossible order or a sweet release, the choice is ours. May your yes be yes and no be no everyday on earth as it is in Heaven.
Heavenly Father, may we become a light on the path for our children's eyes, that they may even shine brighter for their children so that people's hearts will once again grow strong in their devotion to You and walk in Your ways. You are the Way, the Truth, and the Life, let us rejoice, let us rejoice. In Jesus our Savior's name I pray, Amen.
Love to all in Christ Jesus. c
Being a demanding hothead or a rationalizing pushover was never God's plan. His plan is for us to "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding"Prov 3:5. This will either come as a tall impossible order or a sweet release, the choice is ours. May your yes be yes and no be no everyday on earth as it is in Heaven.
Heavenly Father, may we become a light on the path for our children's eyes, that they may even shine brighter for their children so that people's hearts will once again grow strong in their devotion to You and walk in Your ways. You are the Way, the Truth, and the Life, let us rejoice, let us rejoice. In Jesus our Savior's name I pray, Amen.
Love to all in Christ Jesus. c
