While the birth of a child is one of the most exciting events in life, the responsibility that accompanies it is staggering. What an awesome privilege when God places the miracle of a human life into the hands and charge of parents. Someone said, “The hand that rocks the cradle shapes the future.” There is no greater assignment or privilege on earth.
Parents are a child’s most significant, influential teachers. The home is the greatest university the child will attend. What a child becomes largely depends on the parental role models and values that are built into them. David Bly said, “Children will become what you are, so be what you want them to be.”
Proverbs 22:6
“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.”
Practical Application and Assignments:
Sometimes parents fear the negative effects that the enormous, outside, secular influences can have on their children. It is not the parent’s job to shield their children “from” life, but to prepare them “for” life.
- Build into your children a solid foundation by exemplifying and teaching strong moral values and spiritual principles. Someone said, “There is nothing more influential in a child’s life than the moral power of a quiet example.”
- Reinforce good behavior. Obviously, if you live with criticism, you learn to criticize. Look for the best in your children. Bob Gass said, “Practice the 101 Principle: Look for one thing to admire and give one hundred percent encouragement for it.” When your children are ready to pursue their dreams, let them fly. Even eagles need a push sometimes.
“And these words which I command you this day shall be in your heart. And you shall teach them diligently unto your children, and shall talk of them when you sit down in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and rise up.” Deuteronomy 6:6, 7