teachable moments

I had the honor to celebrating my nieces wedding this weekend with my family back home in Oklahoma.  Lots of great times there.  Time with family.  Seeing my Aunt Judy for the first time in several years.  Celebrating my mom's birthday with her and all the family together.  So much more.

Sunday morning we went to church with my parents, and their pastor, Art Rogers, preached about parents and children from Ephesians 6.  It was a great message.  I heard some things that I needed to hear.  One of the biggest pieces is about "teachable moments" and taking those times that present themselves to speak life and disciple our kids.

Then this picture comes back to my mind.  I took it on Saturday.  It caught my eye and it touched my heart.  That is my brother Steve and his oldest daughter Rachel who married on Saturday.  Honestly, there were tears in my eyes as I watched them danced.  I looked over my two girls who were in the wedding and the tears rolled.  I love my children, and frankly, they need to stop growing up.  Stay where they are.  BUT that is not possible.

Art asked a question that we need to wrestle with: if we knew we could do something to secure our children growing up to be godly and lived blessed lives, what would we be willing to give up to see that happen?  Tough question.  But I would give up a lot.  What would you give up?  Think about it.

Proverbs 22:6 (NASB) --- Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it.

Ephesians 6:4 (NASB) --- Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

It is time to take the moments.  Those teachable moments slip out of our hands if we don't seize them.  Our kids and grandkids grow up way too fast.  So do something now.  

That picture reminded me something ... it is never too late to invest in our kids.

3 John 1:4 (NASB) --- I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.