I am so proud of my kids. Yes, there are times that I'd like to beat them, but then there are times I need to find a corner and cry because they push me over the edge of being proud. There are times too where I want to stand on a mountain and yell at the top of my lungs "that's my girl" or "that's my boy".
Our kids are polar opposites. Some love school. Some hate it. Some are quiet. Some are not. But they are all my kids. Nothing can change that. They get on my nerves from time to time, but if you come at one of my girls or my boy, you have a fight on your hands because I will protect them just like I will protect their mom.
One of the highest callings in life for me is to be a dad. You might remember a saying I heard lots of years ago: "It takes very little to be a father, but it takes a lot to be a dad." I believe that. I cannot just sit by and let their lives pass me by. I cannot miss the opportunities to help them be who God made them to be. That means that we have to make choices and step forward in a proactive way in leading our kids to live with character and more importantly to love and know God.
But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.
My biggest job is to lead my kids to see Jesus and to accept Him. They will not get to heaven on my choice to follow God or by my choices for them. That means that my walk with God needs to be genuine. Ask your kids the questions. Celebrate those spiritual markers and moments in their lives.
Far too many kids have parents that are fake. They are Sunday Christians and live like the devil the rest of the week. I pray my kids will be transparent as I try to be. Live the truth. Let people see who you are. Don't try to put on who people think you are. Simply be who God made you to be.
Teach them to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.
Contrary to popular belief, our children do not get enough of God at church. As Christians we are to teach our kids all the times. I recently wrote about our family devotions and how important they are. We have to take teaching and molding moments so our kids learn the truth about God AND are able to fall in love with God who loves them more then we ever will.
Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.
My kids know how to push my buttons, but maybe they learned that from me. I am being honest with you in saying that I have to be careful in how I respond to my kids. It is at home where we often let our guard down and let our frustrations out. I share grace with the people I meet outside of my home. My wife and kids deserve that same grace from me.
The other night we were reading through our devotion, and one of my girls shared something from our reading that sent me over the edge. It was one of those times where inside I was jumping up and down because she got it. She knew about the grace and peace of God in ways that meant something to her.
My heart is passionate about helping hurting people, but if I leave my kids behind, I miss the best and the most important ministry that God has ever given me.
Take some time and celebrate your kids or the kids in your life. I love my kids, and before I leave each day and before they go to bed each night, I must strive to let them know that I am so proud of them.
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