A right walk

"I want to use that!" "No, I got here first." "Mommy she won't let me..." Sound familiar to you? In a home with four children we unfortunately hear things of this sort much too often. Daddy and I often look at each other with expressions of hopelessness wondering what in the world to do! We love our children and so desperately want each of them to grow up to love each other and the Lord with all their hearts but getting to that point (at least the point of loving each other) seems hopeless.

I came across the following verses in my Bible reading this morning that helped me to gain a little clearer understanding of this situation. "But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ; from whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love." Ephesians 4:15,16


As a family I believe that God desires for us to be fitly joined together so that we may increase in effectiveness in edifying the "body" or in this case our own family. You see it is so common today to see brothers and sisters tearing into each other and causing problems in the family . It is so common for brothers and sisters to lead such seperate lives that they can't even stand to have the other around for even a little while. This is not what God intened for the family. He intended for the family to love each other and be such a blessing to each other that each individual would cause another family member to desire to live better for Christ. This is not our present reality however.

So where does it begin? How do we get to that point of loving and edifying one another? I believe that it begins way back in Deuteronomy 6:6-9. As parents we are to set the example. We are to first of all live a life pleasing to God. We are to model godly love, tolerance, patience, forgiveness, acceptance. Then we are to teach the Word of God to our children. We are not to do this only during "family devotions" but we are to be doing it constantly, from the time we get up to the time we lay our heads down. But how? Does that mean that we are to walk around with our Bibles all day doing nothing else but sharing it with out children? No, although that might not be a bad idea the work around us would be piling up and that would cause havoc in our lives. But we are, however, to be "speaking" to our children about the Word of God at every opportunity through words or deeds. We are to model by actions! Ever heard the saying, "More is caught than taugh." I belive this to be so true in regards to raising children. We can "talk" about what the Bible says all we want but if our children never "catch" it by watching us live then I believe that this will lead to bitterness and maybe even destroyed lives later on.

You see, it matters not what we desire for our family. It matters how purely we live. My desires and intentions will fall flat if I do not back them up with my lifestyle...the one that my children see. I want my children to love each other more than any other person they have or will meet but it begins with Mom and Dad. It begins with our personal walk with the Lord and our walk as we are inside of our own home.

What are your children seeing today? Are they seeing behavior in you that pulls them closer to Christ or are they seeing behavior in you that pulls them closer to the world? Look at what the Lord promises to those who live right, "And thou shalt do that which is right and good in the sight of the Lord: (talking about the previous verses in Deuteronomy) that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest go in and possess the good land which the Lord sware unto thy fathers." Deuteronomy 6:18. We have nothing but blessings to look forward to if we strive to teach our children the statutes of the Lord through words and deeds.

**Today's challenge**

1. Pray and ask the Lord for help in whatever area you might be struggling with in regards to your children. Whether it be patience, lack of Bible study, anger-whatever it is seek the Lord for His help in overcoming these dangerous habits.

2. Seek forgiveness from your children if the Lord is leading in that way. It will change their lives!

3. Determine to work on one area in your family today.

*Thank the Lord for the promises of help and direction today!!*