Parenting is an incredible privilege and responsibility. We have the duty of raising up the next generation of godly men and women who will influence their culture for Jesus.
How do we do this? Some very important ways are:
TIME: We’ve got to spend many of the moments of our day with them. We can’t make a difference in their life if we don’t spend time with them.
AFFIRM: We’ve got to instill value in them. We’ve got to make them realize how valuable they are to us, to God and in the scope of God’s purposes. And we’ve got to make sure that they understand that their value is rooted in who God says they are (something that can’t/won’t change).
ENCOURAGE: We’ve got to find them doing things right and applaud them. No one is too young or too old to enjoy a well-timed work of praise from a superior.
INSTRUCT: We’ve got to know God’s Word and teach our children to comply. If we truly want God to bless them, we’ve got to show them the kind of life that God blesses. We’ve got to model it in ourselves and teach them to conform to that lifestyle.
These four actions and more allow us to bless our children … to affirm their value and equip them to live the one life that God has given them for His glory. Bless your children today!
Genesis 27:34
“As soon as Esau heard the words of his father, he cried out with an exceedingly great and bitter cry and said to his father, ‘Bless me, even me also, O my father!'”
Matt’s Musings 