Homemaking Mondays: Loving Your Children

Welcome to Homemaking Mondays! 

Today I'd like to share a bit about loving your children.  

Now culture and modern society and pshycology have much to say about loving your children, but what does the Bible say?  To a believer this is most important!  

Loving our children goes far deeper then snuggles and kisses! Although those are important to.

Psalm 127:3

"Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward."

Children are a special blessing and we are to take their lives seriously and be serious about raising them.  Caring for not only their physical needs, but also their emotional and spiritual needs as well. Now all of this takes a great deal of our time and energy...do not despise this.  It all has it's place in our lives and homes.  In a world where the "me monster" reigns, we need to remember to sacrificially serve our families, and that includes taking the needed time with our children.

Loving our children by raising them up to know the Lord and His Truth.

Proverbs 22:6

"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."

Proverbs 54:13

"And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children."

2 Timothy 3:14-17

"But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works."

As we see in the scriptures above we are to train our children.  

This is an active role, it means time, it means commitment, it means love in action.

Webster's Dictionary states this: To train or train up, to educate; to teach; to form by instruction or practice; to bring up.

The children will be taught of the Lord.  For this to happen, we need to make the Bible available to them...read to them, teach our children to read, and then they can read and learn for themselves.  People think that they can just take their kids to some church and sunday school and that will do it.  But you can't find that in scripture...the parents are responsible to do this!  Not to mention that "go to church" isn't in the Bible, but that is another study.  Our children need to hear from God, and the only way that can happen is to give them God's word.

The big thing that jumps out at me is that once we've taught our children the things of the Lord it will continue with them into adulthood.  We must understand the gravity of this.. and it needs to start right away. "And that from a child...." Sharing God's word does't need to start just when they can read...we can quote scripture, sing scripture, and tell them about the goodness of the Lord from the moment they are born.  

Loving our children is sharing with them about the way of salvation according to the scriptures so that their souls may be saved!

With training, I think of all those things we teach them.  There is the regular things like eating, potty training, dressing, & cleaning up after themselves.  There are also thins like not to touch things that will hurt them, or go places that are dangerous.  Setting boundaries. 

We teach our children manners and how to treat each other.  How to talk to each other, take turns, be kind, be compassionate, and so on.  We need to get our guidelines from scripture. 

Part of training up our children is through discipline.  I know there is a huge array of opinion on this..but what does the scriptures say about this?

Proverbs 22:15

"Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him."

Proverbs 19:18

"Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying."

Proverbs 13:24

"He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes."

Proverbs 29:15

"The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame."

Discipline is not fun for the parent or the child...but must be done to teach them the right way. To leave them to themselves will only lead then away from righteousness and into error.  Some think that it's cute when children are mischievous or mouthy or just plain rebellious.  No, it is not! 

Proverbs 20:7

"The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him."

I love this verse, and it goes for both moms and dads.  We must be the examples for our children. They will see us, and will learn quickly what is required of them...if we require it of ourselves.  They are watching! 

1 Timothy 3:4

"One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;"

Having children in subjection is to have them obedient and not unruly.  Yes, children will be children...I know, BUT we need to be on top of things and make sure they are redirected appropriately.  We need to teach them self control and respect for authority.  If they won't obey us, how are we to think that someday they will be willing to obey God? 

So many of today's society believe in being "friends" with their kids...no, you need to be their parent.  Yes, you can have very close relationships with your kids, but above all you need to be the one to put your foot down an make them mind.  You need to teach them why and not just set out rules.  There is a purpose for your training and teaching, and they need to also know what they are working towards.  You as the parent are to be the one in control, not the child.  As they grow you can step back more and more as they mature.  

Colossians 3: 21

"Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.

Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged."

This goes for mothers to... we need to be considerate of how we go about our parenting.  We don't want to discourage them, and this often means being ever watchful not to place our children in situations where it will obviously lead to more then they can handle. It clearly states that children are to obey their parents in ALL things...not just the things they agree with.  Obedience is one of the greatest skills that they will learn.  Human pride in all it's gusto fights against this...it is foundational that they learn this at home in a loving environment, so that one day they will be willing to be obedient to God on their own....and seek God not their own will.  

All of this takes time, watchfulness, and prayer!  Loving our children is directing them in the paths of righteousness, of truth.

We need to pray for our children and seek the Lord's help as we love our children.

There is much that can be said on parenting...I'll share more in another post sometime.  But of utmost importance we need to know what God says on the matter.

I hope that some of what I've shared will be of benefit to you!

Love and Prayers,

Jennifer