Most times as
parents we all want
what is best for our
kids. We seek the best possible food and dietary needs for them as they
develop
and grow. When the time comes for our children to go to school, we make
certain
that they receive the best education they can obtain. We will sacrifice
many
evenings in aiding them with homework and other “out of school”
activities.
Parents will often make sure their children visit the doctor and
dentist
regularly so that they have proper physical health. We make sure that
our
children have regular baths and brush their teeth on a regular basis to
prevent
poor health. Most parents make sure their kids are happy and safe and
given
those things in life that they need.
However, when
it comes to
spiritual development, those
same concerned parents often fail. While it is important to provide and
care
for our children physically, it should not be to the neglect of the
spiritual.
If, as parents, we fail to instill in our kids the importance of God
and the church,
my friend we have failed to the utmost degree! We owe it to our
precious
children’s souls to make certain that we “Seek the kingdom first”
(Matthew
6:33). Our kids will be able to tell whether church is something we do
on
Sunday or Christianity is something we live each day. If God is first,
our kids
will have a greater opportunity to be faithful to the Lord themselves.
In the
early years of a child’s life, habits and attitudes are formed very
quickly. If
we do not form them with the attitude that God is first and all else is
second,
we fail!
There are
countless pressures on
parents and children
to go in many different directions. There are ball games to attend,
homework to
do, school activities with which to be involved and 4-H projects to
complete. While
none of these in and of themselves is wrong, they can become wrong if
our
emphasis is misplaced. God first, then school activities must be our
motto. Why
as parents do we cut God out when there is a conflict in our schedules?
If we
cut God out just a little bit when our kids are young, more times than
not,
they will cut God out completely when they are older.
Parents, it is
up to us to, “…bring them up in the
nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4b). Let’s
resolve to
put God where he belongs, number 1 in our lives! When it comes to a
point in
our schedules when something must be cut, LET’S NOT CUT GOD! As
parents,
we have a grave responsibility to show our kids who takes first place.
Paul
declared, “And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the
beginning,
the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the
preeminence”
(Colossians 1:18). Does God have preeminence in your life, and
does he
take priority over all other things? If not, we are failing our kids
miserably!
Who or what is first in your life? Are you failing your kids?
Are You Failing
Your Kids?