Loving Our Children Enough To Love Jesus More

"...he who loves son or daughter more than Me, is not worthy of Me." (Matthew 10:37 NKJV)

    Parenting can be tough. We are blessed with the stewardship of raising our children yet there are times when they resist the raising; when they push the boundaries we've set for them and try to establish their own rule. Attitudes and eye rolls suddenly enter stage left, doors get slammed, feet stomp, and volume increases (in their earpods as they try to drown out our voice of instruction). Now is not the time to give in to their demands - this is no hostage situation, this is a normal Tuesday night! - now is the time for wise, prayerful parental decision-making (James 1:5)!

 

    As Christians, we must always be focused on the big picture of life. As we raise our children we must keep in mind our ultimate hope for them: that they would come to respect and reverence God, happily follow His commands, and lead a faithful life before Him because if they have a true love for God in their hearts, all their other future decisions (how they treat others, where they work, whom they marry, how to raise their children, etc.) will guided by and made with respect to God and His Word.

 

    No matter what our kids ask/plead/beg/bargain/barter for we must keep our big picture hope for them in our minds and ask ourselves, "Is what they are wanting going to lead them toward God or away from Him?"

 

    It can be easy to fall prey to their emotional pleas simply to have peace but we must love Christ more than our sons and daughters because in doing so, we can keep our eyes fixed on Jesus (Hebrews 12:2) and show our kids, through word and action, that God's way truly is the BEST way!  We will replicate God's boundaries in our homes and live joyfully in the freedoms God has granted us (Galatians 5:22-23), allowing us to reflect God's love and prove His wisdom to our children.

 

    Are you ready to stand for Christ, even if it means having to say "No" to your children? Do you love your children enough to love Christ more?

 

You can do it! So can I!

 

Let today be the day!