Colossians 3:20, “Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.”

     You’ve witnessed the scene. Maybe it’s even happened to you. You’re out in public, maybe in the grocery store, the cart full with your checklist of goods. And then it happens. Child meltdown. Tantrum time. A moment of testing on your part…what are you going to do? Your threats only go so far in the shopping aisle and your blood pressure is rising. Johnny’s not backing down. It’s a showdown.

     I know parenting is hard. Trying to mold and train little people is emotionally draining at times. The average American family has two kids. I wonder if that’s because raising kids is overwhelming  and two is enough. That may be the case for those who don’t want to follow biblical guidelines for childrearing. The Bible actually makes it easier in the long run!

     I know parents that give their kids too many options. Do you want to eat this or that? Do you want to go to bed now or later? Do you want to take a bath now or when you’re ready? I know parents that go through huge routines EVERY night in order to get their kids to sleep. That has got to be emotionally and physically draining. How much sweeter it is to put them in bed, kiss them goodnight, and exit gracefully.

     There are too many books of so-called child experts out there filled with erroneous advice. People’s ears are tickled with the latest trends. What huge problems that has caused in our society today. Parents wonder how to get their kid to do this or that. God provided some very good instruction when it comes raising kids. God knows what the heart of a child is like (deceitful and wicked) and without the right correction becomes an embarassment to his/her parents. Without proper instruction they begin life on the wrong road, ultimately ending up on the one that leads to Hell.

     I love my kids. At the end of the day when it’s all said and done I thank God for them. Sure, being a father trying to raise children for the Lord is exhausting. Trying to be a shepherd to a bunch of wild sheep is a very challenging and scary prospect at times. The Lord has provided abundant grace however and will continue to do so. I just have to make sure that I am walking closely with Him and letting the Holy Spirit do His work in my heart and my children’s as well.