I love being a mom. There is nothing else like it! Now, I don’t necessarily miss the diaper and car seat stage – or even the constant battle of viruses going through the house for what seemed like weeks and weeks when they were little, but I definitely miss our children being little. I miss the rocking and cuddling. The teenage stage is/was fun, too, and half-way into the empty nest with two being in college, this stage of life is enjoyable, too.
My husband and I have always wanted the best for our children, just as you probably do, too. However, what constitutes as “best” varies from one family to the other. Some parents would think the “best” included the most expensive clothes, shoes, or car. For some it might mean that their child would have the very best opportunities available. They might be able to attend the most prestigious schools or colleges. They would be given whatever they wanted and whenever they wanted it. But in my opinion, having the “best” isn’t about stuff and things. In fact, the best thing you can give your child is not a good education, not the latest technology, but the gift of YOU and the knowledge of God and Jesus from the Bible.
Being a parent is a God-given responsibility, and we must take it very seriously. Our children need us. They want us. If we’re too busy and make them feel as if they are an inconvenience, then we’re telling them they don’t matter.
Our greatest responsibility in parenting should not be what we can give them, as far as stuff and things go, but in giving them the knowledge of God and Jesus. It’s teaching them to love and serve others. It’s teaching them to do all that they do for His honor and glory and not for our own. The favorite book in our homes should be the Bible, not some book or magazine written by men – but the greatest book written by men, but inspired by God.
These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
Deuteronomy 6:6-9
- What are you teaching your children?
- What are you giving them?
- Is what you are giving them and teaching them preparing them for success in the world or success in the kingdom of God?
- What would your children say is most important in your life? Things of the world or spiritual things? Do your words match up with your actions?
- Are you giving your children what is truly the “best”?
Let’s all think about those things today – as we parent our children and serve our God and Savior, Jesus. Let’s give them the GREATEST GIFT that we could ever give them.
For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?
Matthew 16:26
by Lori Waugh
- Psalm 119: Teth - August 15, 2017
- The Greatest Gift - July 11, 2017
- The Hardest Thing - June 6, 2017