Train up
a child in the way he
should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it.
This is an important time for our family. We have chosen throughout the last 20 or so
years some important things that stand out for us. Honestly, there are several people that we
need to thank for inspiring us and challenging us to step up to raise our kids
and live out by faith.
There is a reason that I take some time, as I am today, to share with
you what happens behind the walls of our house.
I am going to share one important piece that we are actually bringing to
an end in the next week or so.
Family devotions each night has been a vital piece of what we do
together for a long time. We have read
books, done various devotions and walked through portions of Scriptures each
night before we go to bed. It still
thrills me to hear my children read Scripture and pray out loud.
We have also made sure that church is a priority for us. Another thing we have tried to impart to them
is the need to tithe and be generous.
But today is for something else.
Our youngest child, Ryan who is our only son, is 13 years old, and he is
about to be 14 in a little over a month.
When our children have turned 13, we have signed a contract with them to
do a few special things with them. We
agree to learn more, to give more responsibility and to spend some extra
special time together on a trip that they plan.
Ryan and I will be going on his special trip for the next few days. I am excited about seeing things through his
eyes and have some long talks about life and faith and important choices. It is going to be a great time packed in to a
few fun filled days.
Why do we do these special things, it is because we believe that we are
to be the chief influencers of our children.
We want them to love God more. We
want them to know that they are very special to God and to us, their parents.
Some of you are most likely curious.
Our oldest daughter about 7 years ago got to go on a trip to historic
Williamsburg and that area. Then our
middle daughter 5 years ago went on a cruise.
Now our youngest has chosen to visit California and take in the
sites.
This trip is one child and one parent.
We plan and save for these trips for several months. Again, this is a very special time for our
family. What a blessing it is to pour in
to our family.
What an honor it is to teach our kids, to love them, to enjoy life with
them and to point each of them in a direction we hope that they will continue
for a lifetime. That is why we are
committed to doing these special things with our children.
Ephesians 6:4 NASB
Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
Whatever it is you need to do, do it to help your family be
stronger. It might take sacrifice and
planning, but it will pay off. We have some
great memories, and we are do pour of our children. This is a great and important time!
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