Counterfeit: Parenting — Wednesday
Psalm 127:3
Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him. (NIV)
Do any other parents out there have a collection of ribbons, trophies, and award certificates that you don’t know what to do with? It seems wrong to get rid of that framed certificate your child received in 1st grade for being the best hula hooper ever or that 4th-grade trophy for the winning science fair project using sugar crystals that almost caught your house on fire.
In our culture today, it doesn’t take much to collect awards that aren’t particularly valuable, but God tells us that children are a REWARD from Him. Parents, I would like to ask you, is that how you speak about your children? If I asked your child how you feel about them, would they think you see them as a reward and a blessing from the Lord? (I am challenging myself as much as I am challenging you here!)
I get it - they can drive us crazy and sometimes we all say things we wish we could take back. It’s not a weakness for a parent to apologize to a child and ask for forgiveness. It is an opportunity to model for them what our relationship with the Lord should look like - confessing our sins and asking for forgiveness. When we make a mistake, we have the opportunity to teach our kids that not only is it a sign of strength to ask for forgiveness, it is a sign of strength to forgive others as Christ forgave us. God has placed parents as authorities in their children's lives, but that doesn’t mean we pretend we are perfect. We are also called to display humility, respect, and love, by treating them as we would want to be treated.
Of all the things we can do during our time on earth, investing in a child, or even someone a generation or two behind you, is a great way to grow to look more like Jesus. You don’t have to be a parent to model and teach these things to someone else, because as a believer God has called you to be a spiritual parent. No matter your age or how many children you have or haven’t had, God has gifted you with something to offer.
Wednesday’s Reflection
Parents take some time this week and list out ways you can speak to your children to show them they are a reward and blessing from God.
For those of you looking for another way to invest in a child or someone else, check out the opportunities through our Outreach Ministry.