Those years were full of challenges and demands that sometimes zapped our strength and took all of our mental and emotional reserves. Along the way, we navigated the rough seas of the sudden death of one of our four teens. We also enjoyed the thrills of success and struggled through the turmoil of rebellion. As I look back on our experiment in parenting, we learned some valuable lessons:
• Some teens follow life in a straight line, while others zig-zag along life’s pathway. It’s best to “zig” with them in love and with courage.
• All teens need unconditional love because they live in a conditional world.
• A love of God’s Word is vital to successfully transferring faith from one generation to the next.
• Teens need to develop a relationship with Christ that is based not on rules but on a deep love of Jesus.
Has God placed any young people in your life? Whatever their age, love them unconditionally. Help them learn to love God’s Word. Show them how to have a deep love for Jesus. And hold on!
— Dave Branon
Parents, give your children guidance
And instruction from God’s Word;
Then with wisdom and compassion
Teach them how to love the Lord. —Sper
Don’t merely spend time with your children—invest it.
Psalm 128 (NKJV)
Psalm 128
A Song of Ascents.
1 Blessed is every one who fears the LORD,
Who walks in His ways.
2 When you eat the labor of your hands,
You shall be happy, and it shall be well with you.
3 Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine
In the very heart of your house,
Your children like olive plants
All around your table.
4 Behold, thus shall the man be blessed
Who fears the LORD.
5 The LORD bless you out of Zion,
And may you see the good of Jerusalem
All the days of your life.
6 Yes, may you see your children’s children.
Peace be upon Israel!
Psalm 128
A Song of Ascents.
1 Blessed is every one who fears the LORD,
Who walks in His ways.
2 When you eat the labor of your hands,
You shall be happy, and it shall be well with you.
3 Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine
In the very heart of your house,
Your children like olive plants
All around your table.
4 Behold, thus shall the man be blessed
Who fears the LORD.
5 The LORD bless you out of Zion,
And may you see the good of Jerusalem
All the days of your life.
6 Yes, may you see your children’s children.
Peace be upon Israel!
2 comments:
I agree with the sentiment in this quote. I have to disagree with the idea of love vs. rules. I think to raise happy, healthy children we have to walk a fine line. We need to have rules that everyone, including mom and dad, obey at home (i.e. we should speak respectfully to everyone:mom to dad, dad to son, brother to brother etc.). We also need to be grown-up enough to answer the "Why" question and be able to reconsider if we don't have an answer. It is basically about Love and Respect based on the Word of God. Unfortunately we are all sinners and so make mistakes. Thankfully God is gracious to extend mercy to us all when we confess our sins.
Teens need to develop a relationship with Christ that is based not on rules but on a deep love of Jesus.
Is this what you were talking about?
This is what they learned bringing up their children. This worked for them and it's not all wrong. We need to bring up our children showing them Gods love for them and by truly loving our children and each other they can see Gods love through us.
Of course rules are needed in all parts of life.
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