Perspectives

Deuteronomy 6:5-7… (5) Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. (6)These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. (7)Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you set at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. (NIV1984)

Small towns are special to me. My wife and I have traveled to many small communities over the years. You see people take time out to say hello to one another when they meet in the town coffee shop or grocery store or when they pass each other on the street. I have also noticed that most take pride in how their yards look and how clean their streets are kept. It gives you a sense of well being when you walk down the street … you feel safe.

Many rural communities have several churches, which give you an idea about a spiritual awareness. It does not take long to feel that warm hospitality, that old-fashioned mannerism. That friendly approach and the slower pace somehow sooth the mind and makes you think that it is a great place to live. You say to yourself it must be a wonderful place to raise a family.

Talking about raising a family: Many years ago in a rural community we leased a comfortable apartment owned and operated by a couple and their children. From our observation they knew how to raise a family. Their children were well mannered and they worked as a well-trained team around the apartment. This takes time and love from mom and dad. I kind of think that they see their family as a gift from God; a gift that is worth going the extra mile for, a gift that will forever fill their hearts with pride and joy.

This month’s Scripture passage makes it reasonably clear to us that we must instruct and train our children in the ways of the Lord and there is nothing wrong if we become somewhat undone, somewhat emotional about these truths. They are after all so precious, and essential to God’s purpose in our lives. We are to teach them diligently, we are to be tireless in our effort to instruct them how to live and how to do the everyday things that are so necessary for life. We must be willing to invest the time, the effort, and the energy to teach our children these truths.

I do think we all agree that God has given us a command that we are to instruct our children how to live in this world both spiritually and physically: Spiritually meaning in the ways of the Lord, while physically means the everyday things that sustain life. If what I have just said is so, whose responsibility is it to teach our children these truths?

According to the Bible, mothers and fathers, but primarily fathers have the responsibility of instructing children in the things of God. However, when was the last time I took the Bible and sat down with my children to explain a passage of Scripture? When was the last time I explained some spiritual truths or other issues that my children grapple with, referring to a biblical passage because God said something specific about it?

I have come to understand that a child learns by watching what we say and do. That means I must watch my conduct, watch my manners and watch all those things that I would not want to discuss with my own children. I cannot blame others if my behavior is out of line. The question I must ask myself is what kind of messaging do I send to my children? If I see them as a gift from God, do they know that? How do they fit into my life style? Do they see themselves as burdens, people who are in the way, or do they see themselves as part of the family … an immense blessing. Those are hard questions, but if we want to keep our children safe as the God of the Bible instructs, then we will need God’s help. This is a task we cannot hope to accomplish alone

Would you pray this prayer with me … “Lord Jesus, come into my heart. Forgive my sins. I want my life to change. My thoughts and my attitude need to change. I do not have the peace in my heart that I yearn for. I really want that peace, joy and happiness that will fulfill my hearts desire. Please let the Holy Spirit help me be the kind of Christian that will honour Your Name.” Amen