The Missing Component in My Parenting

Scripture: You shall tell your son on that day, ‘It is because of what the LORD did for me when I came out of Egypt.’ Exodus 13:8

Observation: After engineering his people’s escape from Egypt by his own strong hand, God sets forth a feast to help his people always remember their salvation. In the instructions for this feast, God calls parents to tell their children what the ceremonies mean.
But three words in this command make it personal. “Did for me.” God is calling parents to get personal with their faith and their kids. Not just to give dry religious lectures, not to just cover the bases of spiritual talk or check off the list, but to tell their kids what God did for them.

Application: I think I am doing better at trying to help my kids learn about what God has done. But I don’t think I share enough about what God has "done for me." The facts of faith can be passed on without the reality of it in my life. My kids need more than to hear information; they need to see transformation in my life. I want to share more with them about the whys of my faith—why I pray, why I worship, why I follow Christ. How I feel about what the Lord has "done for me."

Prayer: God, help me to tell my sons and daughter “what the Lord did for me.” Give me opportunities to go below the surface and share my story with them. Help me to listen when they ask questions, and not just give them the theological definition. Let me share my heart as I share my faith.

Praying for My Kids

Scripture: And when the days of the feast had run their course, Job would send and consecrate them, and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, “It may be that my children have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts.” Thus Job did continually. Job 1:5

Observation: Job was a blameless man, blessed with wealth, health, and a happy family. He had ten kids, who celebrated life and God with a daily feast. Each one of his 7 sons took a day of the week to host the feast. And in all of this, Job rose daily to pray for his kids, in case they got a little out of hand in their celebrations and committed a sin. Bottom line: Job prayed for his kids daily, he interceded on his kids behalf.

Application: Jessica and I talked last night about how it was important for us to be praying for our kids, for protection and God’s work in their lives. I do not know what this so easily slips our mind, but it often does. Job reminds me here of the crucial task of praying for my kids. Tomorrow, Jessica and I are going to sit down and talk more about how we can implement this in our lives and be more intentional about rising to pray for our family.

Prayer: God, forgive me for my prayerlessness when it comes to my kids. Teach me how to “offer sacrifices” for each of my kids before you regularly, so that you may fully work in their lives.

Determined to Discipline

Scripture: The LORD determined to lay in ruins the wall of the daughter of Zion; he stretched out the measuring line; he did not restrain his hand from destroying… Lamentations 2:8

Observation:
1. God determines to discipline his people.
2. God measures out his discipline to an exact amount needed, no more, no less.
3. God is willing to mete out harsh discipline to his loved ones.
My discipline of my own children is often haphazard, depending on my mood, frustration level. Often I feel my discipline is too light or too tough, but rarely just right. But God is always right on target. He knows what is needed to bring about the change he desires.

Application: Jessica is leaving town for the weekend tomorrow, leaving me alone with the kids. It is during these long periods that my tolerance drops, and I tend to discipline out of my flesh, and not God’s spirit. I want to embrace the coming weekend as a time for me to parent in the spirit.

Prayer: God, I yield myself to you for this coming weekend. I pray I will experience your patience. Help me have self control. I want this to be a fun time for me to have with my kids. I trust you to give me wisdom to discipline like you, determined and right on target.

When the Discipline is Over, Hope Remains

Scripture: Fear not, O Jacob my servant, declares the LORD, for I am with you.
I will make a full end of all the nations to which I have driven you, but of you I will not make a full end. I will discipline you in just measure, and I will by no means leave you unpunished." Jeremiah 46:28

Observation: Jeremiah is predicting God’s judgment on the nation of Egypt. At the end of this chapter, he speaks a word from God to God’s people: “I will not make an end of you. I will punish you, I will discipline you, but I will not end you.” Though God’s discipline is hard, it is necessary. And when the discipline is over, hope remains. For his kids, God always offers hope at the end of discipline.

Application: This is an element I need to bring into my discipline of my own kids…the promise of hope. The assurance that even though the punishment may be tough, when it is over, there is the hope of restoration. That we still love them even though we punish them. And when the punishment is over, there are not lingering consequences—they are fully back in the family. Actually, they never left.

Prayer: God, help me to have the attitude of God when I discipline my kids. Help me show them my love for them even though they have sinned. Let them know my love and commitment for them has not wavered.