Someone is Watching
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.” Proverbs 24:3,4
When we read through the Bible we are reminded that many things have not changed over the course of history. One of those is the importance parents make on children through their actions, lifestyle and priorities. “Training up a child” takes place either through intention or by default. But the “default” is always the conduct of the parents.
I recall being on a family vacation when our kids were little. I was sitting on the edge of the bed with my son in our hotel room, “channel surfing.” We were watching a program and a swear word was used, which my son repeated. In my shock, I rebuked his behavi0r, only to be rebuked by my wife for allowing him to be exposed to the type of language we don’t allow in our home.
I am reminded of the life of Abraham. One two occasions Abraham, in an effort to save his own life told Sarah to tell a king of the land where they were traveling that she was his sister. Technically, Sarah was the half sister of Abraham, because they both had the same father and different mothers. (Genesis 20:11-13)
However, in the next generation we see Isaac doing the same thing with his wife Rebecca. (Genesis 26:6-9) However, the “white” lie/half truth in one generation became the outright lie in the next. Isaac learned that they way you protected yourself was to lie instead of trusting in the Lord.
You can see the principle played out time and again, “the compromise in one generation, becomes the character of the next.” In my work with Teen Challenge, I have seen children from good families struggle with alcohol and drug abuse. When you delve into their family dynamics, it isn’t uncommon to learn that the parents when under stress reached for the alcohol or pills. In a subtle but clear way they demonstrated that when problems arise your escape instead of confront. What parents of one generation do in moderation, the next does in excess.
What is important for parents? To practice wisdom, knowledge and understanding in life and in your actions. Be attuned to the unique personality of each child. Remember what you do is so important, it doesn’t really matter what you say. Make sure your words and your actions are in agreement. Make sure the spiritual principles of God’s Word are reflected through your life. We often hear the statement in parent-child relationships, “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.” That can apply to a lot of traits passed from one generation to another. But it does challenge parents to examine the “fruit” of their lives. What activities, actions, attitudes in your life if taken to an extreme in your children would keep them from experiencing God’s best for their life?