2002-01-01
Good Morning Faithful Readers,
I witnessed something that happened the other day while Pete and I were shopping that upset me very much. A mother was ahead of us in the check-out line with two young children who looked to be about 7 and 10 years old. Something that the 7-year old girl either said or did angered her mother, and this lady soundly cuffed her child on her head. Of course, I’m not against a parent disciplining a child, but what upset me was the method chosen here. Not only can hitting someone on the head do serious harm to them physically, but choosing to do it in public is both humiliating and spiritually damaging. I have prayed for this family since then, and the incident led me to look at the love that God has for His children (particularly the young ones) which He presents as a model for us to follow. My earliest recollection of God’ attitude comes from a citation I’ve given recently and which bears repeating. DT 6: 5-7, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. Never forget these commands that I am giving you today. Teach them to your children. Repeat them when you are at home and when your are away when you are resting and when you are working.” God knows the importance of children to the future and understands their vulnerability to adults who act wrongfully in handling their own lives including actions taken toward the children around them.
God wanted fairness in the adjudication of crimes in ancient Jewish society with regard to involvement with children and wanted provision to be made for widows and orphans. DT 26: 16, “Parents are not to be put to death for crimes committed by their children, and children are not to be put to death for crimes committed by their parents; a person is to be put to death only for a crime he himself has committed.” DT 26: 19, “When you gather your crops and fail to bring in some of the grain that you have cut, do not go back for it; it is to be left for the foreigners, orphans, and widows, so that they Lord your god will bless you in everything you do.” These were the corners and gleanings which provided for the sustenance of people who were otherwise unable to provide for themselves. There were many rules too numerous to cite here in the OT that made provision for children in the face of the death of parents who ordinarily provided for them.
PR 1-7:5 is a long passage that is full of advice for fathers to give their sons. Because the Jewish culture in Solomon’s time (Solomon was inspired by God to write this advice), the advice is directed at sons. However, when you read through the advice, you will see that females are benefited by it. Here’s some sample citations to wet your appetite: PR 1: 7-9, “To have knowledge, you must first have reverence for the Lord. Stupid people have no respect for wisdom and refuse to learn. Son, pay attention to what your father and mother tell you. Their teaching will improve your character as a handsome turban or a necklace improves your appearance.” PR 2: 3, 6, “Yes, beg for knowledge; plead for insight…It is the Lord Who gives wisdom; from Him comes knowledge and understanding.” PR 2: 20, “So you must follow the example of good men and live a righteous life.” PR 3: 5-7, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Never rely on what you think you know. Remember the Lord in everything you do, and He will show you the right way. Never let yourself think that you are wiser than you are; simply obey the Lord and refuse to do wrong.” PR 4: 13-14, “Always remember what you have learned. Your education is your life-guard it well. Do not go where evil men go. Do not follow the example of the wicked.” PR 22: 6 admonishes parents to “teach a child how he should live, and he will remember it all his life.”
Christ’s attitude toward children was made plain when he rebuked His disciples for trying to send away little children when He was teaching in the temple at Capernaum. MK 10: 13-15, “Some people brought children to Jesus for Him to place His hands on them, but the disciples scolded the people. When Jesus noticed this, He was angry and said to His disciples, ‘Let the children come to Me, and do not stop them, because the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I assure you that whoever does not receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.’ Then, He took the children in His arms, placed his hands on each of them, and blessed them.” Paul’s teachings also revealed God’s agenda for parents and children. COL3: 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.”
For a long time in recent years, children’s needs and education took a back seat in America at great cost to society in general. The result is that we find ourselves with a generation of children who are growing up without a conscience. Of course, I’m not saying that all of today’s children are that way, but an alarming number are. We are seeing this in children like Dylan Kliebold, Eric Harris, and Kip Kinkle. There are many reasons for this, most notably the breakdown of the family unit and the expunging of God from the public schools. When greed or real financial hardship force both parents to work, no one is left at home to nurture and guide children there. It is why people need to take a second look at the question, “Can we get by on less income, so that one of us can remain home to care for our children?” George Kennedy, the actor, has taken a stand in his own family that engenders enormous respect from me. His grown daughter was rendered by a drug addiction unable to care for his granddaughter. At the age of 75, he has adopted this little 5-year old girl, and is raising her. He is by far not the only grandparent doing so. I know in my heart, God’s first choice would have been for her mother and father to avoid addiction to drugs and to raise their children. God didn’t get his first choice here, but he certainly got his second one. Food for thought.
PRAYER: O Lord, You have always wanted us to know how to be responsible parents. To teach us that, You showed us Your own example. Sadly, we don’t always learn the precious lessons you have on parenting for us, even through you have made them easily available in the Scriptures. As time progresses and the world becomes more evil, it gets more and more difficult to raise children. But, Dear Lord, You have equipped us to obey and to persist in Your ways. Lead us to make those tough decisions, the ones that sometimes lead us to uncomfortable choices, so that our children can grow up knowing and loving You. Your love for us is so great that we can take comfort in knowing that Your ways are always in our best interests. Let us be the kind of parents and grandparents that honor You and raise children who will enjoy the salvation and grace that only You can provide. Let us always be the kind of children for our earthly parents and for You who can look back on our lives, knowing we were faithful, true, loyal, obedient, and respectful. To You belongs the praise and glory. In Christ’s name, amen.
Tomorrow, we will look at loving one’s enemies as a way to obey God. In the meanwhile, be comforted in knowing that Your Father in heaven, His Son, and the Holy Spirit love each of us every day of our lives. Since we are saved, that means this love extends to us eternally. We should never want to miss a day letting our children and our grandchildren that God’s love is available to them too. Peter and I send you our love, as well.
Grace Be With You Always,
Lynn