Would you agree that this is an accurate parenting formula?
The volume of your voice is inversely proportional to how well your kids hear you.
Yell for them and they don’t hear a word. But try to whisper something sensitive to your spouse and they hear you half-way across the house, in a room with the door closed and the TV on.
Your kids may appear “lost in space” but Big brother is watching and listening. So is little brother and all the sisters, too. And if the total loss of all privacy is not bad enough, the truly terrifying part is that they’re going to imitate your life, not your lectures. They become who you are, not who you tell them to be.
If Dad likes hunting, there’s a good chance son will like hunting. If Dad cheers for the Dallas Cowboys, there’s a good chance son will be right beside him. If Dad treats mom with disrespect there’s a future bride out there who can expect equally bad treatment.
Typically our children will value the things we value. Our job is to make sure they value the right things. That doesn’t happen because we tell them to value the right things. It happens because we demonstrate daily that we value the right things.
And the most eternally valuable example we can set is to let them know we value spiritual things – the gathering of believers (aka church), God’s Word, the family, the home.
Mom’s example can only go so far. Dad, it’s important that you not just go along with Mom but that you lead the pack in spiritual matters. You don’t have to be a theologian or Bible scholar. Again, it’s not what you know that will impact your kids and their direction – it’s what you model.
You can do this, Dad! Take the helm. Grab the reins and lead the charge. Where you lead, they will follow.
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Joshua 1:9
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.
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