Monday, July 26, 2010

Parenting in faith.

"For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin."  
Romans 14:23

How many of us parent in faith?

Let me elaborate.

Do we discipline in faith?  

"Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of correction will drive it far from him."  Proverbs 22:15

 Do we train in faith?

"Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it."  Proverbs 22:6

Do we "educate" our children in faith?

"You shall lay up these Words of Mine in your heart...And you shall teach them to your children, talking of them when you are sitting in your house, and when you are walking by the way, and when you lie down and when you rise." Deuteronomy 11:19

Do we share the gospel in faith?

"From childhood you have been acquainted with the Holy scriptures which are able to make you wise unto salvation through faith in Jesus Christ." 2 Timothy 3:15

When I am "knee deep" in training one of my children, disciplining a child for an act of disobedience that has been dealt with over and over, reviewing the six days of creation with a child who forgot, despite the fact that the lesson was just an hour prior or presenting the gospel on what seems to be "deaf ears," do I shrink back and give up?

Or do I, by faith, believe that one day, when this child is old, he/she will not depart from the truth.  That the rod will truly drive away the foolishness that is bound so deeply in their heart.  That "educating" my children when they rise, sit and lay down is not in vain.  And that by presenting the gospel, through the teaching of the Word, will truly make my children wise unto salvation.

By faith.

Faith in the God who stands behind His word 100%. Romans 4:3

Faith that is "counted as righteousness."  Romans 4:13

Faith that has "hope against hope."  Romans 4:18

Faith that is without "distrust" or "wavering."  Romans 4:21

Faith that brings peace.  Romans 5:1

6 comments:

Shonni said...

Beautiful and so encouraging. I love HIS Words!!!

"Are These Kids All Yours?" said...

AMEN! YES!!!

Marsha said...

Summer, I'm older than you and have 1/2 the kids you have, but you are such an encouragment to me. I am in the trenches right now with two recent adoptees, ages 4 and 6 and dealing with a host of behavioral issues I've never experienced with ones I've raised from birth. Too much to type! But I can't tell you how often something you say restores and refreshes my soul. Thanks for all your words of wisdom. It reminds me I'm not the only one with these struggles!

Danielle said...

Amen!!

Unknown said...

I nominated you for a blog award. Go to my blog to find it!

Destiny said...

Just read through all of your new blog! Loved it!! SO glad you expanded it :-) Praying for you!