“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he won’t depart from it.” Prov. 22:6…. Notice: it doesn’t say HOW old. Sometimes, when we are young and foolish, life gets all messed up and it takes a while to get it straightened out. We must teach our kids while they are little about the love of Jesus and how He works in our lives. Pray for your kids everyday and take them to church. The young people of today will be the ones leading our country in the years to come. A solid foundation in Christ is the best way to insure they are successful.
Kids today have so much more to contend with than we did growing up. Streets and neighborhoods are not safe, drugs are readily available, so much violence, profanity and broken homes….just to name a few. How do we help them make wise choices and keep them safe under such circumstances? I think the most important thing is to talk to your children and let them know they can always come to you with problems….this doesn’t guarantee they will, but at least they will know you are there for them. Get to know the people your kids hang out with….especially the parents.
Finding time for family activities….things you all can enjoy together, without friends tagging along when possible, is a good idea. Kids today are obsessed with spending time with their friends. To see them at school is not enough and parents are constantly being asked if someone can spend the night. If you allow your child to spend the night with someone you don’t know that well, at least get an address, phone numbers and know where they will be. Insist they call you if plans change and you call them just to make sure all is well….trust me, they won’t always be where they told you they were going.
We must realize that children are a gift from God and it is our responsibility to see that they know the one who created them. So many people spend their lives trying to fit in and trying to be accepted by one group or another. If they grow up knowing Jesus loves them, and accepts them just the way they are, this won’t be a problem. Most importantly, we as parents and grandparents must be sure we are setting good examples and seeking God’s help. Two times, the Bible tells us: “Fathers, provoke not your children to anger….” Col. 3: 21 and Eph. 6:4:….’but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”
The crayon marks, drawings held on the fridge with magnets, sticky hand prints, spilled juice, dandelion bouquets…. and countless other things kids leave behind, all too quickly, become treasured memories. We must enjoy the time we have with them; answer all the questions, wipe away the tears and cherish every kiss and hug. If we train them up as God said, they can go out to face the world with confidence, and we can relax…. knowing the one who loves them most, will lead them home.