Daily Bible Reading: Deuteronomy 6, Psalm 89, Isaiah 34, Revelation 4
Monkey See, Monkey Do
I’m sure you’ve heard the above statement about how children learn. Not that I’m calling children monkeys. But children learn a lot by observation and mimicking their parents. One day when my oldest son was about two years old I was busy ironing clothes and looked over to see him pretending he was ironing clothes too. He was copying my motions exactly.
Statistics show that children of alcoholic parents are more likely to become alcoholics than children of parents who do not drink. Parents who smoke are more likely to have children who follow them in this addiction despite all the warnings of how hazardous it is to health.
Deut. 6:7, talking about the commandments that the Lord gave Israel through Moses says, “Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” Moses was telling the people to teach their children through their every day life, and by their example. It has to be more than words. There has to be a life that is lived that corresponds with what you are saying.
The old saying, “Your actions speak so loud I can’t hear what you’re saying,” is so true. We can’t tell our children one thing and then live another way. Our actions must be consistent with what we’re teaching. You might be able to fool people outside of your home, but you can’t fool those who live with you every day. They can see if you are really living what you are professing.
It’s the Lord’s desire that we raise up godly children. I know that children have a will of their own and there comes a time when they make their own decisions about what they believe, but if they have seen Biblical principles lived and modeled before them in addition to having them taught, they are more likely to choose to follow the Lord.
It has always been my desire that when I stand before the Lord I will be able to present my four sons to him; the ones he entrusted to my care. There were some difficult times along the way but I’m happy to say that all four of them are living Christian lives and are training up their children to follow in their footsteps.
Psalm 89:1 says “I will sing of the Lord’s great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations.” Who better to teach your children than you? Knowing that there are minds and hearts that are watching and copying you should motivate to more circumspect living and a guard over what we discuss when little ears are listening.
Remember, you are being copied.
(If you don’t have children yet, tuck this away for future reference. It works for grandparents too.)
Tomorrow's Bible Reading - Deuteronomy 7, Psalm 90, Isaiah 35, Revelation 5
God is good all the time,
Naomi Brinkman
1 comment:
It's hard to see into future generations and how they will be affected by our actions and decisions. What a great perspective of how important my ministry to my children is! Thanks Naomi!
Post a Comment