April 21, 2020

It is tough to remain steadfast under trials…I arrived home Sunday night after having to been gone for over 9 weeks.  There are so many snares in this world and my fears of my children having run amok appear to have been unfounded.  No, it was not a perfect paradise and the teaching process continues to deny ungodliness in this present world.  Nevertheless, I’m proud of my kids, what was asked of them was a hard and arduous and they did a great job.

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”                         Ephesians 6:1-3 NIV

In these verses we find half the key to the child parent paradigm, an abundance of books are written on parent-child relationships; yet, the blueprint and absolute truths are found in the Bible. Obey and Honor… I teach my children that there are three parts to obedience. One, you must obey – that’s doing what you are told. Two, honor – doing it with the right heart attitude. Three, timeliness – obeying when you are asked.

Next, we have the promise of, “so that it may go well with you” is a promise of spiritual harmony within the family. And lastly, “may enjoy long life” is a promise to live out the full measure of days as given you by God.

My children if you want to live out a peaceful blessed life then start here.  The key to a life of obedience to God begins with the training in the home.  Obedience to parents leads to obedience to God as we grow and mature.  

Let me close with this, I love you and am so proud to watch you grow into what God has made you to be. No not perfect, but may I come alongside you as your father in those times of trials and give you Godly advice to help with the rest of your life.

“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him.”     Jeremiah 17:7