Effective Parenting = Making Them Think

A verse I haven't meditated upon in a long time jumped out at me last night: "I thought about my ways, and turned my feet to your testimonies." Psalm 119:59

In the verses before this one, David affirms that the Lord is his 'portion' (strength; sustenance) and he asks God to show him mercy "according to Your Word." In the verse after, David affirms that he is rushing toward God's truth, quick to obey now that he has considered his ways.

Put in a parental context, this reminds me that it is far easier, but less effective, to simply instruct our children instead of making them think about their ways and comparing them to God's truths.

Simply saying, 'That's wrong, do this instead,' doesn't teach our children to act properly for the right reason. As children grow in intellectual and emotional maturity, we must hold up their actions against God's truth (the Word), compare, and instruct their adjustment. They must see why. They must be confronted with moral truth. They must made adjustments because they love and respect God and His Word.

When you're gone, force of habit won't make them do the right thing; 'because Mom and Dad did it this way' won't make them do the right thing. Only if they fall in love with Jesus and love Him and His Word deeply and fellowship with His Holy Spirit will they have the rationale and power to live the life God calls them to.

Notes, Quotes & Links

* When harmless chit-chat turns to vain words too often among your family, post this on the board: "Talk that does not end in any kind of action is better suppressed altogether." -- Thomas Carlyle

* Another one about words. "your ppl can tell when u have been much w/ God. That is most in their ears that is most in ur heart." Richard Baxter.

*Personal ambition is the enemy of spiritual leadership (c Jn. 3:30). -- via David Platt

* Show this to your children and ask them to share with others. Fun to watch for all, but particularly useful for approximately 5thgrade-and-under. http://www.mikejohnsonblog.com/my_weblog/2010/02/apologetics-for-kids-a-la-schoolhouse-rock.html

* Ed Young on 'How to Raise Disrespectful Kids', Part 1: Give them everything they want; always take their side; disrespect your spouse. Part 2: Give them a choice of whether or not they want to go to church.

* Great devotional thought from Kim Jaggers, who has a new blog. Check it out: http://www.kimjaggers.blogspot.com/

* Interesting read on how families have changed since the New Testament era.
http://anchorchildrensministry.blogspot.com/2010/03/how-is-family-different-facebook.html