Proverbs 6:20-22
My son, observe the commandment of your father And do not forsake the teaching of your mother; Bind them continually on your heart; Tie them around your neck. When you walk about, they will guide you; When you sleep, they will watch over you; And when you awake, they will talk to you.
Children below the age of 9 are filled with such zeal and energy that it is hard to not see the goodness and potential which they are capable of as adults. Somehow, from the age of 12 onwards, and puberty kicks in, that all seems to change. Potential plummets down and goodness turns into rebellion.
Today, I was listening to a snippet of sharing of "Insight for Living" by Chuck Swindoll. As he talked about Ephesians 6:4, he highlighted 6 things which father's commonly do which exasperates their children.
i. Favouritism
ii. Overprotection
iii. Discouragement
iv. Neglect
v. Bitter words/abuse
vi. Failure to allow a child to grow up
There is no magical thing which a father or mother can do to see through the growth of their child. Parent's can only do this much and leave their children to choose the life which they want to live.
Biblically though, a good father commands the household to live right before God and man. Simple as it sounds, it's really a tall order as father's have to walk the talk as they set the standards for their family. Mother's have an equally important role as they are told to teach their children, which means all the step by step instructions and provision of guidance.
After all this is said and done, the rest is left to us as children to respond. Read the wise instructions in the passage below and live it out obediently. May the values and goodness required of our lives by our parents be imparted upon our lives.
blessings,
M.
"Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right" (Ephesians 6:1)
30 July 2008
Fathers & Mothers
Proverbs 6:20-22
My son, observe the commandment of your father And do not forsake the teaching of your mother; Bind them continually on your heart; Tie them around your neck. When you walk about, they will guide you; When you sleep, they will watch over you; And when you awake, they will talk to you.
Children below the age of 9 are filled with such zeal and energy that it is hard to not see the goodness and potential which they are capable of as adults. Somehow, from the age of 12 onwards, and puberty kicks in, that all seems to change. Potential plummets down and goodness turns into rebellion.
Today, I was listening to a snippet of sharing of "Insight for Living" by Chuck Swindoll. As he talked about Ephesians 6:4, he highlighted 6 things which father's commonly do which exasperates their children.
i. Favouritism
ii. Overprotection
iii. Discouragement
iv. Neglect
v. Bitter words/abuse
vi. Failure to allow a child to grow up
There is no magical thing which a father or mother can do to see through the growth of their child. Parent's can only do this much and leave their children to choose the life which they want to live.
Biblically though, a good father commands the household to live right before God and man. Simple as it sounds, it's really a tall order as father's have to walk the talk as they set the standards for their family. Mother's have an equally important role as they are told to teach their children, which means all the step by step instructions and provision of guidance.
After all this is said and done, the rest is left to us as children to respond. Read the wise instructions in the passage below and live it out obediently. May the values and goodness required of our lives by our parents be imparted upon our lives.
blessings,
M.
"Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right" (Ephesians 6:1)
My son, observe the commandment of your father And do not forsake the teaching of your mother; Bind them continually on your heart; Tie them around your neck. When you walk about, they will guide you; When you sleep, they will watch over you; And when you awake, they will talk to you.
Children below the age of 9 are filled with such zeal and energy that it is hard to not see the goodness and potential which they are capable of as adults. Somehow, from the age of 12 onwards, and puberty kicks in, that all seems to change. Potential plummets down and goodness turns into rebellion.
Today, I was listening to a snippet of sharing of "Insight for Living" by Chuck Swindoll. As he talked about Ephesians 6:4, he highlighted 6 things which father's commonly do which exasperates their children.
i. Favouritism
ii. Overprotection
iii. Discouragement
iv. Neglect
v. Bitter words/abuse
vi. Failure to allow a child to grow up
There is no magical thing which a father or mother can do to see through the growth of their child. Parent's can only do this much and leave their children to choose the life which they want to live.
Biblically though, a good father commands the household to live right before God and man. Simple as it sounds, it's really a tall order as father's have to walk the talk as they set the standards for their family. Mother's have an equally important role as they are told to teach their children, which means all the step by step instructions and provision of guidance.
After all this is said and done, the rest is left to us as children to respond. Read the wise instructions in the passage below and live it out obediently. May the values and goodness required of our lives by our parents be imparted upon our lives.
blessings,
M.
"Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right" (Ephesians 6:1)
