Proverbs 22:6 (NLT), “Direct your children onto the right path; and when they are older, they will not leave it.”
Yesterday my wife and I celebrated the 6th birthday of our youngest son. I went through Facebook and put together a picture collage of him over the years. It’s amazing how much he has grown and how quickly the time has flown by. It just seems like yesterday he was coming into this world.
When a child is born they seem so helpless and rely on you for lots of support and care. As a parent, you love this and you take pride in being there for them. Before you know it, they are walking around the house and gaining more independence as each day passes. All of a sudden, they don’t need you as much. Then they are off to kindergarten and feeling a little more like a big kid. They may hold your hand walking in that first day but soon after they want to walk in by themselves. The time passes like a blur and then they are young adults out in the world on their own.
Regardless of their age or status in life, our children still need us to play a huge role in their lives. They still need our guidance and direction even though the way it’s delivered and received may change. When they were young you gave them their first sense of what is right and what is wrong. They learned from you what is acceptable and what is not. The basis for how they view the world is shaped from how they see you and what they see you doing. This is the foundation they will build off for the rest of their lives.
It is a huge responsibility for each of us. How do you provide the discipline needed at times in the right way? As Proverbs 29:17 (NLT) says, “Discipline your children, and they will give you peace of mind and will make your heart glad.” How do you ensure you’ve laid the proper foundation for them to build from as they grow in life? For as it says in Luke 6:48 (NLT), “It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built.”
Our Heavenly Father is our example for how to guide our children. He provides the discipline and love, to us his children here on earth, to keep us on the path He has for us. No matter how far we may stray away from that path, He is always there to welcome us back because of His love and grace. This is the same type of discipline and love needed by our children. They are never too old to lean on you for guidance, always be ready to provide it. Remember you helped lay the foundation for them!
Truth In Love! ~ Chuck