Bringing up Children!

Bible Reading: 1 Samuel 2:12-26

Our youngest granddaughter, Nicole, is in the age of imitating her parents and teachers.  She plays 'School' with her dolls and pretends to be on office calls just like our son and daughter-in-law.  She imitates in great detail.  It is amazing to watch her play like that.  You can understand many things about her school and her parents from the way she imitates them!

Parenting has two sides.  

One is showing the children how they should live by life and example.  Remember, our children are constantly watching us.  Our home is the first place where the children understand right and wrong.  Our life example should be honoring God and one filled with Godly principles.  The Bible says, "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it" (Proverbs 22:6).  Our life choices should not be the stumbling blocks for our own children!

The second is correcting them appropriately with love when they do not do the right thing.  Eli did not discipline his children when they did wrong!  Usually, when worshippers sacrificed to the Lord, they gave a portion to the Priests.  The Lord's portion was offered first on the altar, and then the Priestly portion was given to the Priest.  But Eli's sons asked for their portion even before the fat was offered to the Lord.  Their behavior caused the people to resent their offerings to the Lord (1 Samuel 2:17).  

Eli never took the necessary actions to correct them.  The Lord's complaint was, "… you honor your sons more than Me" (1 Samuel 2:29).  It was Eli's refusal to discipline his sons that brought the judgment of God upon his house!  "The rod and rebuke give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother" (Proverbs 29:15).  Children who are never subjected to loving correction often bring shame to their parents.  The Bible says, "Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; the rod of correction will drive it far from him" (Proverbs 22:15).

My friend, do not take parenting lightly.  Spend time at the feet of the Lord and seek God's guidance regarding each child's life.  Correct the child firmly with love.  Above all, make sure your life is an excellent example for the children growing up in your home.  May God be your helper. 

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, help me discipline my children when they need correction and lead them by life and example.  Amen.

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