Shocking Discoveries While Raising a Child

Deuteronomy 6:1-7   Now these are the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments, which the LORD your God commanded to teach you, that ye might do them in the land whither ye go to possess it:  2 That thou mightest fear the LORD thy God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command thee, thou, and thy son, and thy son’s son, all the days of thy life; and that thy days may be prolonged.  3 Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe to do it; that it may be well with thee, and that ye may increase mightily, as the LORD God of thy fathers hath promised thee, in the land that floweth with milk and honey.  4 Hear, O Israel : The LORD our God is one LORD:   5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.  6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:  7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

Our world today knows a lot more about baby-making than they do about people-making. Anyone who eats in restaurants or shops in stores has seen unbelievable things: children allowed to run wild; kids using four-letter words; young adolescents and teens dressing like rock stars; and, kids who have no respect for others, especially adults.  It is as though, in one or two generations, we have trashed everything we ever knew about kids.

Let’s examine some old truths that now seem to be shocking results of parenting:

You are making a lasting impression.  Remember the plaster of Paris molds? You can make anything you want to, until it sets up. Then, it conforms to the last thing you impressed upon it in the critical moment.

Unless you are God, don’t experiment.  Children are not “baby-dolls”, expendable possessions, tax-deductions, or mindless creatures who don’t have a clue.

Children actually do need someone to tell them what to do. The hand of God can rest upon children. Acts 2:38-39.  Genuine love looks out for the spiritual welfare first.

Parents are responsible.  You only get one chance per child.