Wednesday, October 03, 2007

PARENTING

What a responsibility we have as parents. We are role models to our children. What ever we say or do, they may copy. The morals that we teach them as they grow up, may go with them. The Potter, Jesus Christ is molding His children into His image, we are molding our children by our image as parents. I am not saying we are to be the fault if our children grow up and be ungodly, but we sure can make a difference by how we live our lives and nurture our children. There is no perfect parent and no perfect child, but parents can teach their children the right way. Christians
are equipped with the Word of God and the Holy Spirit to bring up a child, there is no better guide. Parenting is such a rewarding honor, to see our children grow up to be Godly adults is something I desire so much. To see our children walk with the Lord and someday become Godly parents and teach their children in a Godly manner. We as parents have SUCH a responsibility and we all need to pray for one another. The most important thing to teach our children is about God and be the image God wants us to be as parents.

The silent influence in parental conduct
(John Angell James, 1837)
Parents have a great power of influence over the minds and hearts of their children. Their children are almost continually with them--they are seen by them in nearly all they do, in their habitual conduct,and character at home. They are . . . heard in what they say; seen in what they do; studied in all their behavior;by little ears, and eyes, and minds, which are scarcely ever closed!
The child's heart is soft and pliable to a father's or a mother's influence. Their constant influence has been molding him from the dawn of reason.

What, then, ought to be the parents' behavior at home? The whole cultivation, and direction, and management of a child's mind, from the very dawn of reason, should be carried on with special reference to the formation of Christian character. This should be the one thing, to which all other things should be subordination. The silent influence in parental conduct is far greater, either for good or for evil, than most parents are aware of. They teach by what they say, they influence by what they do; and also by what they do not say, and do not perform. The pious parents, who embody a meek, benevolent, ardent, and consistent godliness in their character, exert a tremendous influence over the minds of their children!
But oh! the dreadful contrast in the case of those parents who are characterized by . . . ungodly dispositions, worldly associations, mirthful and extravagant living, trifling conversation, and lack of all seriousness and spirituality. Oh! what can be expected from such parents--but children who regard their religion with disgust? Every man is best known at home. Parents are ever doing something to prejudice their children in favor of true religion--or to prejudice them against it; doing something to draw them into the church--or to drive them into the world; lending a helping hand to lead then to heaven--or taking them by the hand and leading them to hell.Parents! Must you employ your influence in ruining the souls of your children--and sending them to perdition? Oh! tremble at the interview you must have with them at the day of judgment, and the dialog you must hold with them forever in the bottomless pit!!

5 comments:

Sis. Julie said...

Excellent post!! And humbling too!! I know that my children are looking to me as an example of what a Christian ought to be. I have failed at times but when I do I'm never afraid to admit it and ask for their forgiveness. I want my children to know I am not perfect...and that they aren't perfect too.

David said...

Parents are so integral to the outcome of the Children, that sometimes you have to wonder why God would entrust them to us! I know when I look at my character, it will be by the grace of God that my kids turn out right! Praise the Lord that He gives us the instruction manual, the King James Bible!

Anonymous said...

I don't have children but can see all around me how important parenting is! One of the greatest gifts and responsiblities that God gives people.

Baptist Girl said...

Amen David,,
We have the word of God to guide us and the Holy Spirit. Praise God.

Hi Sarah,
Yes children are a gift from God and I know someday if you decide to have children, you will bring them up in a Godly way because you love our Savior so much.

Cristina

Baptist Girl said...

Hi Julie,
It is a very humbling duty the Lord has bestowed apon us. As David said, "it will be by the grace of God that my kids turn out right!"

Cristina