Gloria Walker, Contributor
(In a letter to the Editor)
PARENTS' NATURE is to love their children. As a mother I notice that when children are small, we parents diligently attend to their needs, giving them the best of care. We are always happy with their growth and happiness.
When our children are sick, we spare no effort, day or night, to nurse them back to good health. We take great pleasure in seeing our children accomplish worthwhile objectives in life. These are the advantages of parenthood and parents have an obligation to direct their children.
Parents should be Christians living the Bible and portraying an exemplary life before their children, a life we wish our children to pattern later.
It is stated in Genesis 8:21, that the existence of a man's heart is evil from childhood, so it is important that training and teaching begin early in life. I have heard it said that children learn more by observation than through instructions. Therefore, the future happiness and destiny of children depend upon the teaching and knowledge they receive. Teaching and living the Ten Commandments is not a matter that we can face with lack of interest.
Mothers and fathers who are not concerned and who live ungodly lives will have a bad effect upon their children. However, when a sinner repents, the judgement on sin is removed and God forgives him.
There are children who suffer mentally and physically because of ungodly parents. There are also blessings that follow generations of God-fearing parents. The influence that parents have for good and evil is greater than they realise. Parents who are not Christians, who do not worship God, do not read the Bible and have no family worship in their homes, are not doing their duty before God and their children. We parents should be faithfully and unwavering in our Christian lives. Parents need to be alert to evil spirits that will influence children. Evil spirits are subtle and destructive, and will try to control a young child's heart. Whenever these are established in a child's life, they are very difficult to control.
Unruly spirits are rampant in today's world. It is said in II Timothy 3:12 that there will be disobedience to parents in the last days, when children become parents and parents become children.
It becomes evident at an early age in children's hearts, that there are spirits of pride, anger and envy, so it is important that we parents possess the Spirit of God, so we can discern Satan's work and deal with our children as God has said. Oftentimes children manifest stubborn behaviour when they are being taught discipline. If we show negligence in the upbringing of our children in the way that God commands, we will be faced with shame, disappointment and sorrow, for parents who do foolish things; also foolish children bring grief to their fathers and bitter regrets to their mothers.
We parents have to go to God in prayer to entrust and conserve our children, because of the many dangers they are exposed to and how the world and the devil persecute them, trying to destroy their dignity as children of God and to cast them into the filth of sin.
So, if you do love them, you will correct them (Proverbs 13:24). Foolishness is found in the heart of a child, but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him. Lack of love for children prevents parents from taking the right direction in discipline. I'll make myself clear in order for you not to get me wrong.
The Scriptures that are quoted from the book of Proverbs, do not approve or encourage child abuse. The rod of correction has proven effective when administered with love. A child's pain causes parents to suffer as well. When love is shown to the child, his soul is alive in the heart of the parents. If we discipline with anger, our children will not accomplish good results because confidence between children and parents will be broken.
Mothers and fathers should develop Christian habits of prayer, the practice of good deed and a spirit of sacrifice in us that will enhance our Christian attitudes of fraternal charity and mutual forgiveness. What we teach our children is just a drop in the bucket. The process is enduring.
Our homes should be fashioning them to approach their new frontier with strength and determination. What lies ahead only God knows. Our voices will be heard far off in the wilderness, but no matter how small it is, we will be heard. Our challenge now is what we can do for our children. The best of anything comes from hard work, dedication and humility, and this should be a reminder to parents.
The greater joy is not just only teaching but sharing with our children the throes of life that come our way. In the final analysis our diversity at the beginning has not been divisive. We are to remember that God will conduct our affairs in accordance with His perfect will.
