My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments. Proverbs 3:1
If you are a parent, a great motivation for living a godly life is to give your children a credible example to follow: God’s words are the words I believe. God’s way is the way that I follow.
How are you going to do that? The way to walk in obedience is to walk by faith. A life-giving relationship with God is based on trust. Solomon says, to his son, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding” (Prov. 3:5).
You can’t say that to your children unless you are doing it yourself. So, if you are a parent, you need to trust in the Lord with all your heart, especially when it comes to your children!
Trust God in regard to your children. You fear what sin can do to them. Trust what God can do in them. You fear the pressures of the world, the schools, the media, and the culture. Trust what God can do through His Spirit and His Word. Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Give your children reason to think, “My father and mother trust God, even when it comes to me!”
Think about your father and mother. How did they give you an example to follow? Perhaps it was good, or perhaps it wasn’t the best example. That doesn’t mean you can’t learn a few things you should and shouldn’t do with your own kids.
Thank God for your parents. If they are still living, ask God to help you honor them, to give weight to their words, and to their needs. And thank God for your kids if you have them. They are God’s precious gift to you as well.
How can you be a better example to your kids today? It is not too late to show them that you trust in the Lord, and that they should too.
