Job 1:4-5 His sons used to take turns holding feasts in their homes, and they would invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. When a period of feasting had run its course, Job would send and have them purified. Early in the morning he would sacrifice a burnt offering for each of them, thinking, "Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts." This was Job's regular custom.
There are 13.6 million single parents in the United States today. With 84% of those parents being the mother. It is not far-fetched to assume the child will take on the mannerisms and morals of the parent they are with the most.
In the time of Job, the role of the woman was to raise the children. The majority of the time, I bet Job's kids were at home with mom. We see the effects of children who have grown up in Hollywood getting everything they want and living the rich lifestyle - it seems like that lifestyle also affected Job's children.
As parents, we will go to extremes for our children - it was no different for Job. He would offer a sacrifice for each child after their partying to cover any sins they may have committed. Are we guilty of that? Are we teaching our children that our relationship with God is enough fo
r them as well? Or do we show them the wonderful love that God has for them and how much they will benefit from having their own relationship with Him.
r them as well? Or do we show them the wonderful love that God has for them and how much they will benefit from having their own relationship with Him.It is important for us to show an example to our children by living a life as Christ-like as possible, but we must also teach them how to have a strong relationship with Christ. Like any relationship - it takes work. It takes effort on our part to make the time to study His word and spend time talking to Him and praising Him and being kind to others for Him. Our kids need to hear this from us - it is not the responsibility of the preacher, the Sunday School teacher, the Youth Minister or even grandma. It's time for us, as parents, to start parenting. Children are a gift from God - I want to make sure I let Him know how much I appreciate that gift.
4 comments:
Hi Dorothy! You know I don't think I'm ever really going to be *caught up* in my blog visiting. LOL!
Being the *Grandma* as described in this post, I just want to say Thank you! I do believe that my responsibility to teach and influence extends down to my grandaughters as well but the burden of having to do it all is great.
Excellent thoughts.
Oh--you just hit me right in the heart!!
My kids--all adults now--are firm NONbelievers. I pray for them daily to come to know Christ.
Having grown up in a completely dysfunctional household such as ours was, it is no wonder they are nonbelievers. I can even understand why they are.
They know me, they know of my beliefs, they see me study and read and pray. They see me journal.
But, I realize that I had to hit the bottom--the point where I was ready to take my own life--before I remembered to look up--and there was God waiting for me to re-turn to Him.
Yes, they are adults and I still want to protect them from hitting this rock bottom before they look up.
One thing I have not done is actually pray with them. They scoff at such things. But, I'm thinking that maybe I should--one at a time, when God tells me the timing is right.
I'm waiting and praying patiently. I know that God is working through me and working in them. I do have full faith that they will come to Him in God's time--when the time is right in His plans.
I often go through the "guilts"--that the reason they don't know Jesus is because I didn't see to this when they were growing up. Honestly, it was all we could do to get from one day to the next. But, I see now where I have failed in this.
I didn't replace my love with material things--I just really wasn't there--physically, yes I was there. But, my concerns were on too many other matters in our day to day to survival.
I'm really going to have pray my way through this day and ask God to lead me in the direction that is best for my children at this point in their lives.
Beth
This is a awesome post, and I know some friends I will need to have them read this.
Great writing my friend
Hugsss & Blessings
Sharon
your insights are right on. and you are beautiful too.
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