2019-11-08
Good Morning Dear Ones,
Are you astonished at the amount and depth of information the Holy Spirit is giving us from the book of Colossians? Just because this little NT book has only four chapters, we can’t assume it or other short books in the Scriptures are not important. The Spirit directs me to continue giving supporting Scriptures to Colossians. In doing this, we are taking time to better understand our relationship with God and all others who either believe or potentially will believe in Christ. Since I’ve written quite a bit about the marital relationship, I should focus on the rearing of children. Let me begin by citing COL 3: 20-21, “Children, it is your Christian duty to obey your parents always, for that is what pleases God. Parents, do not irritate your children, or they will become discouraged.” EPH 6: 1-4 says essentially the same thing, but it adds, “Respect your mother and father is the first commandment [EX 20: 12] that has a promise added: so that all may go well with you, and you may live a long time in the land.” This same notion is reiterated in DT 5: 16.
When something is important, God repeats it, and this command matters a lot to Him and to us. When parents give mixed signals to children, it confuses them and the issue at hand. So, parents who are obeying God’s commands should present a united front to their children. We all know how easy it is when adults are in charge to allow their patience to be shattered and for them to fall into emotional abuse. Rearing children is the toughest and at times, most frustrating task God gives us. It is also the most important, because He has put us in charge of helping them to gain the confidence in God it takes to be willing to be obedient believers in Christ. Children represent the future of our world, and they are being forced to grow up in an increasingly disobedient world. I remember PS 103: 13, “The Lord is like a father to His children, tender and compassionate to those who have reverence for Him.” How blessed we are that this is true. A good parent will choose his/her battles wisely and will be consistent in any discipling done. When a question arises, the family can pray about it together, and/or consult God’s word [Bible] for direction. Even when one’s emotional chain has been yanked by a child’s choices or behavior, think first then act. Obviously, the punishment for an infraction should be age-appropriate and appropriate to the situation. We tried to wait until the initial emotions died down to deal with discipline, and when our son was old enough, we had three-way discussions together about the issue at hand. Too many families have been fractured by playing favorites or not using wisdom in rearing children.
Abusive or negligent parenting are frequently the cause of children becoming angry, losing self-confidence, and becoming discouraged. In an emotionally healthy way, we need to teach children to be humble, while at the same time, not becoming discouraged. This is no easy task. We must also look at responsibility parents have a right to expect from their children. The latter must learn obedience not only to their parents, but also to God. This doesn’t need to be a negative experience, because good parents will remind their children often that they love them, and they are loved by the Lord. It took me a long time to discover that God had been on job watching over me throughout my childhood. That was due to my parents’ negligence in not letting me learn that God loved me and my brothers. Once I became a teenager and would come home from school, I was faced with housework and homework that had to be completed. Because I went to a school so far from my home, I was spending an hour each way going and coming from school on various buses and a streetcar. This lifestyle made it hard to socialize with others, and I am by nature an outgoing person. My mother worked at my father’s medical office, so she expected dinner to be ready when they got home. At the time, I was resentful and eager for escape from this predicament. I only learned to have a sense of humor after I left their home.
Sadly, it took more maturity on my part to realize that my parents were rearing me the only way they knew, the ways they had been reared. That recognition came after I left home to begin my adulthood. All this time, the Lord was keeping me in His sight and had a plan for my life; I just didn’t realize that until the age of 25. Emotional balance means taking one’s faith and life seriously but also having a healthy sense of humor. My God-given gregariousness would elevate my life and faith in wonderful ways. It led to superb friendships that I have kept and nurtured throughout my adulthood. It’s hard for me to imagine people growing up to be loners, as my mother certainly was. Life without these friendships and the long-term, happy marriage that I have would be most painful indeed. God has brought people into my life who mostly by example but also by their godly wisdom have helped to heal me from the pain of my childhood. They have made me a better person and believer.
PRAYER: O Lord, You have charged most adults with rearing children, and we all know this is no easy task in today’s world. As little ones, we need to know there are necessary things to learn, like not running across a street without looking both ways first. As teens, we are faced with all kinds of temptations- drugs, sexual immorality, smoking (vaping), etc. As parents, we must be cognizant of what is going on in our children’s lives. Later when they are adults, we must love them as we always did but not meddle in their lives. We want our adult children to learn to take responsibility for their actions. We cannot do this without You. We remember: JN 15: 5, “I am the Vine, and you are the branches. Those who remain in Me, and I in them, will bear much fruit, for You can do nothing without me.” We thank and praise You, Dearest Lord, for Your loving intervention and immense wisdom shared with us. You are our only Lord, and we have not forgotten the sacrifice of Your Son on the cross for us. Remain with us and open us to becoming even more acceptable to You than we already are. We say these things in the holy/mighty name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
NEXT WEEK: I’m led to summarize what was said about the relationship between parents and their children and to share more revealing citations from the Scriptures. My own childhood wasn’t a happy one, but through faith in Christ and the many friends who teach me by their examples I have healed from all of that and can follow the purpose for my life that God has always had. A few years ago, before my husband became ill, we got in the car and drove for 7000 miles covering about 15 states. We stopped in most of these states to visit with friends and have a lot of educational fun. I’m grateful for this trip, because it was God’s way of reminding me that I’m on His path to learning more about myself and the path He has me following. It was also a refreshing change of scenery, something we all need from time to time. I was privileged to live in places all over North America since I was an Army brat who married an engineer. I learned that there are many things people in different places share and some meaningful differences, as well. People all over need to have their physical, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual lives all fulfilled. When they don’t, then personality imbalance happens, and there are troubles in their lives. Of course, there are differences between different cultures. Our nation is a melting pot, and we must be sensitive to people’s needs. There is no human that God hates, and it helps to know that “Nothing can separate us from the love of God” [RO 8: 38-39]. Praise and thanks be to Him!
Grace Be With You Always,
Lynn
JS 24: 15
© Lynn Johnson 2019. All Rights Reserved.
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