February 16 Godly Parenting

Deuteronomy 6:6-7 These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children, Talk about then when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, where you lie down and when you get up.

Smith asks, "...as children grow into teenagers, most of the God-talk seems to fade away. Are we surprised then, that so few grownups talk about God?"

I was thinking about all of the factors that make this true and wondered what we could do about it. We commonly talk to little people about their Sunday School lessons; we read them Bible stories and sing Sunday School songs with them. As they grow older we send them to youth group and camp and continue to talk to them. But when they grow into teenagers, something happens.

I remember watching as children change their heroes from their parents to teachers to older kids and finally to the media darlings. What is the common denominator that creates this path? Is it as simple as that the new and novel generally are more appealing? Or is it the amount of time an individual gives to the influence or influencers? Or a combination of both? And what do we do about it?

First, I think regardless of their age or ours, we must be good listeners. We must create time to really listen. And we must not be quick to give them an answer, but quicker to help them discover the answer by asking right questions. Note this is based on the axiom that you have been teaching them as you lie down, sit along side of, walk and hang out with them - not in formal speeches, but as God's Word is relevant to every situation.

Third, we cannot give up...ceding our influence to the louder influences in their lives. I think we must be present to them, assuring them - not only with words, but with our actions, that we care about everything that matters to them.

Finally, because we have been genuine with them, we must not fear gently injecting truth into their lives, whether by written (or typed into a facebook or email or text) message or by words whispered into their ears.

My grandchildren are growing up, and I have been challenged by how I can matter to them...how I can be used of God in their lives. Timothy's grandmother made a huge difference in his life; I wonder what that should look like in mine.