Jump Start # 948

Proverbs 3:1 “My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments.”

The role of parents is very special to God. Throughout the Bible we find many lessons and examples about parenting. Much of the ills and woes that our country is experiencing comes from a breakdown at home. Too many things that ought to be taken care of at home are not being done. Social skills, dependability, respect, understanding finances, responsibility, politeness, caring and sharing should all come from the home. It’s not being done. This is being shifted to schools, churches and other places. It belongs at home. Home is the first school. Home is where we first learn rules. Home is where we are first introduced to God.

Once you start down the parent road, there is no turning back. You can’t resign as a parent. You can’t pass it off to others, even though many try. Tired, you are still a parent. Stressed, you are still a parent. Busy, you are still a parent. Once you are a parent, you are always a parent. Through the years the roles in the home change, but you are still and always will be a parent.

I hear many older parents complain about younger parents. I wonder if it has always been that way. Younger parents do things differently than the way older parents did things.

Our passage today is part of a series found in the opening chapters of Proverbs. These are the words of a dad to his son. There are many serious topics covered. Teaching is a process. It’s never a one and down situation. There are talks. There are talks. There are more talks.

The hope of the child is remembering the lessons of the dad. The dad pulls from his years of learning and experience. Dad has been there. He has been tempted. He has witnessed sin. He knows heartache. He knows success. He knows what works and he knows what doesn’t work. The key that underlines all of this is a knowledge and trust in the word of God. It is God who knows us the best. It is God who has the best plan for families. God knows. Any parenting that ignores God is doomed to be substandard at it’s best. We must stand upon God.

The home needs love, forgiveness, grace and a heart that serves. These truths come from God and His word. Without that, bitterness and anger stands where forgiveness and grace ought to be. Selfishness takes the place of service. Rules are fussy without God. Things are inconsistent. Worship doesn’t have a priority.

God wants a home that is based upon his word. That means prayer, Bible reading, spiritual discussions and talks and worship ought to be as normal as getting up and going to school. Homes that are built upon that foundation have a definite advantage on all other homes. They have found what works. They have a help unlike anyone else. They know there is a plan, a path and a purpose to all of this. Certain things are understood. Don’t try cussing in these homes. It won’t be tolerated. Don’t be sassy. Don’t think you can ignore curfew and survive. In these homes, it is understood where we will be on Sunday morning. There is no arguing about that fact. It is understood that older people are addressed with respect. It is understood that helping out is part of being in the family. No one will have your back more than mom and dad and yet no one expects more out of you than mom and dad. The home that God wants is awesome. It is not perfect. It is not free from problems. But there is a solution to those problems, and that is found in the word of God. These homes takes a ton of work. It takes a mom and dad who are sharp and on the ball.

I am soon to teach a new class at my congregation for parents. I’m calling it, “Help! I am a parent!” Many of us have felt that very way. It’s tough being a parent. This week I want to share some thoughts about parenting. I hope this helps.

Our children do not come with instructions printed on their back side, nor is there a return policy on kids. For many of us, our first experiences come from what we saw at home. That can be a good pattern to follow or it may be a nightmare. Dysfunction does not have to be generational and repeated. You can make a difference in your home. You can begin with some amazing patterns that can change your family tree. Some of your fondest memories or your greatest regrets come from your family. This process isn’t for the faint of heart. You need a backbone, a plan and the gumption to stick to your guns. God is counting on you. Your family needs you. It won’t be the school, the government or even the church that gets your family where they need to be. It will come from you, Mom and Dad.

Roger