The best thing a parent can spend on their child is time, not money. Time with a child is critical for children tend to pursue the goals they see modeled. The reason some parents don’t lead their child in the right direction is because the parents aren’t going that way themselves. Children tend to follow in their parents’ footsteps, even the footsteps thought to be covered up. Do your children mirror you?
Point your kids in the right direction—when they’re old they won’t be lost. Proverbs 22:6 MSG
Kids want to live up to expectations. If through my life I imply that the aim of adulthood is a big-screen television or an expensive car or an amusing hobby, guess what aim my children are likely to have?
Ask yourself, “I am passing along a goal that my child may pursue with more vigor than the pursuit Christ’s Kingdom?” If we want to raise our families to love and serve God, we have to be clear about our priorities. Like Joshua, we have to face up to those around us and say: “If serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, them choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve. . . . But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.” (Joshua 24:15 NIV)
In the first scene of a Nancy comic, Nancy states, “Things will be different when I’m an adult. When I have kids of my own, I’m going to let them do whatever they want, whenever they want.” After a frame to reflect, Nancy completes her thought, “As long as they do it my way.” (John Maxwell, “What Children Owe Their Parents (and Themselves),” Preaching Today, Tape No. 140)
Okay, we can’t force our kids to turn out great! Every child has a free will and individual responsibility. But, as parents, we can shoulder faithfully our God-given responsibility to discipline and instruct our children.
Some years ago, the National Research Bureau, Inc. published a list of Ten Things for Which You as a Parent Will Never Be Sorry (Illustrations Unlimited, 1988, p. 395).
TEN GOOD THINGS:
- For doing your level best even when discouraged.
- For hearing before judging in family quarrels.
- For thinking before speaking when emotionally upset.
- For not harboring unkind thoughts of a talebearer.
- For being generous to an enemy, perhaps the next door neighbor.
- For stopping your ears to gossip over the fence.
- For standing by your principles in dealing with your teenagers.
- For asking pardon, when in error, even of your child.
- For being square in business dealings with the newsboy.
- For accepting the stewardship of “another” child.
