Children, our most precious gift

The following is an article that I wrote a few years ago for another publication. It gives our philosophy of parenting in a nutshell. I hope this blesses you all very much.

During this 21st century of post-modern America, we have a monumental task. We have an obligation to raise our children to discern between the good and evil that surrounds them. To expect our little ones to be able to transverse the quagmire of our culture is to ensure failure. They need us to put aside our own needs and agendas and give ourselves to the work of equipping them with tools that will be practical for the rest of their lives.

This will obviously take time and energy, even more so than in past generations, when there remained elements of the knowledge and fear of God still residing within our culture. Every waking moment we need to do our very best to invest ourselves into them. (Deut. 6:7) This can be illustrated by the acronym “INTO”. We can prepare them for a life-time of relationship with the Lord Jesus by:

Inclusion and personal interest—Parents bestow value into their children’s lives when they include them in the adult matters that must be attended to, such as errands, family planning, special events, etc. In the same way, a parent can build bridges that will bear fruit to open up the hearts of their children by spending time playing with them as they grow—displaying an interest in them on their level.

In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. (John 14:2-3)

Nurturing—There is no better way to positively impact the hearts of our children than to exhibit great delight in them. Through our smiles and applause, we illustrate our deep enjoyment and acceptance. Nurturing takes place both in our hearts and homes. Comfort is another element of this, not only for the younger ones, but also for our youth and adults too.

 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified. (Isaiah 61:1-3)

Training—Parents must be so passionate about their children that they will be willing to set boundaries and give godly correction. When we withhold necessary correction, we are thinking only of our selfish desire for acceptance. Kids of all ages crave this from their parents.

Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O LORD, and teachest him out of thy law. (Psalm 94:12)

Openness—Parents become the door that their children pass through on their way to eternity. We must be open to their uniqueness, not putting them into niches of our own creation, but rather, allowing God to complete His creative work in them, and thus release them into that work.

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. (Proverbs 22:6)

It used to be generally accepted that children were a precious gift to society at large. Christian parents today ought to revive this belief in order to redeem our children’s generation. Someone or something will have influence over them. Many forces are contending for their allegiance, whether for good or evil. As parents who bear the name of Christ, we must look to the present with our own progeny and realize that we have a divine opportunity to inspire godly training into their lives. However, there is the potential of allowing the very fertile ground of their tender hearts to become hard due to indifference or disdain. Let’s not disregard the impact our lack of interest and protection can have on an entirely new generation. The decision is irrevocably ours. †