Teach Your Children Well
“Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” Ephesians 6:4…
“Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”
Ephesians 6:4 ESV
The word ‘appreciation’ means to recognize the full worth of someone, and to be grateful for someone or something. This is not a word that should be taken lightly or used flippantly. Having appreciation for someone is a big deal. Recognizing the full worth of someone means you see their value as a person in their character, personality, and who they are in your life.
The word ‘appreciation’ doesn’t have the initial weight as it should. Telling your kids that you appreciate them doesn’t seem like a big deal, but it truly is, especially as they get older. Whether they feel they need to seek your approval or not, and we know the current generations struggle with showing respect to parents sometimes, we as the parents need to still be the bigger person and let our kids know that we love them and appreciate them, and mean it.
Jesus said,
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Matthew 6:21 ESV
“Be careful to obey all these words that I command you, that it may go well with you and with your children after you forever, when you do what is good and right in the sight of the Lord your God.”
Deuteronomy 12:28 ESV
To an older kid, or young adult, this can be very empowering, uplifting, and can even take down any walls that may have been put up between you. We should be praying for our kids daily. We should be praying for God to soften our hearts, to show love and mercy towards our kids, and with the little ones, pray that we make time for and acknowledge them when they call on us.
“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.”
Exodus 20:12 ESV
“As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance,”
1 Peter 1:14 ESV
Just as God is always there for us as our Father in Heaven, so we too need to reflect that to our kids. Because I was writing this, I made a point of telling my kids that I love them and appreciate them today. Even if it doesn’t sink in right away, the more they hear that, the more they will believe it, see it, and reciprocate in their behavior. Why does this work? Because, hopefully this means you are praying for your kids daily, and God will bless them, and you, and your house, and do great things in their lives.
“Take my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold,”
Proverbs 8:10 ESV
“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”
Proverbs 22:6 ESV
God wants us to to be consistent, diligent, and persistent in our prayer to Him. It will not always be smooth sailing. Satan will try to distract, derail, and destroy our efforts, and that is where the battle comes in, and that battle belongs to the Lord. The glue that will keep your family together, is prayer.
Next time you get a chance, or right now, let your kids, your loved ones know that you love them and appreciate them.
Heavenly Father, thank you for today. I surrender my day to you, and I surrender my heart to you. Show me how to love my kids and family more. Teach me to pray for them always, and to reflect my appreciation in my own behavior towards them. It’s not always easy, but by Your Grace, Lord Jesus, I can be a better parent to them. I thank you, Lord, for your love for me and the examples you set for how we are to love each other. Continue to teach me Your wisdom by the Holy Spirit that is in me. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
(PS. If you got the CSNY reference in the title, cheers!)