From Proverbs 22:6:  “Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it.”

The headlines read of child pornography, drugs, alcohol, depression, teen-age suicide, murder, abuse and much, much more! Sometimes, we might feel that if we don’t read the newspapers or listen to news reports, we can forget those things are there.  We would like them to go away.  We would like to forget they exist. Unfortunately, we know they won’t go away, and our hearts are sickened by that painful truth. How are these horrible realities affecting the lives of our precious children?  They are not only in the high schools. You can find them in elementary schools, day care facilities, and on street corners everywhere.  It breaks my heart to read of the young victims held in the clutches of such evils. More than that, it makes me angry!

The Word of God tells us to be angry and sin not! We should be angry at the evils around our children.  These children are a gift from God, but the gift was not free. It came with a price tag of awesome responsibility.  How foolish is the parent who takes that responsibility lightly. We are in a battle against Satan.  If God is to control our children’s lives when they become adults, we must train them as children.  We cannot handle their lives as though they are nothing but toys or play things, and expect God to let us off without answering for it.  Our children must be armed for battle by knowing God and His Word. Jesus defeated Satan in the wilderness by using Scripture, and we have the power to do the same!  How can we allow our children to go out into this worldly battle unarmed?  We must teach them what is right, and show them how to have the strength to stand up for it.

A dear friend of mine has shared something very special with me.  She also wonders about the effects of the evils of this world on her children.  She has always prayed for their lives each day.  Since it has become a burden in her heart, she has started praying for their children’s safe future before she goes to bed at night.  She goes into their room after they’re asleep, and places her hand on them as she prays.  As you touch the child you brought into this world, how can you not feel the great responsibility to pray for their health, their school years, and their adult lives?  I challenge you to do this for your children!

It takes an awesome commitment to be a parent; to pray for them at night, to teach them each day, and to live what you teach.  Without that commitment, will your child become one of the statistics? 

Prayer

Oh Father, help me feel the burden of responsibility for my children’s lives.  Help me to be faithful to pray and teach each one in the way they should go.  Show me today where I’ve failed as a parent in the past. Forgive me when I take this position lightly. Help me to live a life that is consistent with what I teach.  Father, use my children for Your glory, that Jesus may be seen in them.  Amen.

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This devotion is written by my wife, Colleen.  It is taken from the contents of her book, BITS ‘N’ PIECES OF MY HEART.  Inspired by her own Christian faith and a mother’s love for her daughters, Colleen’s writings feature short stories, devotions, and poetry.  These are intended for reading by adults and teens.  The final two sections of the book share her inventory of activities and songs to enjoy with young children.  Her book is available online at your favorite outlet.