...as you walk along the road

I've got words in me right now. I just am not sure how to get them out.

Last night in AWANA (A program for children at church where they learn about God, the Bible and memorize tons of Scripture) I was listening to a student tell me her memory verse.

She started out by having to give an answer to the question: "How does God want me to live my life."

The answer for the question (in this particular section) was:

"Parents are to teach their children by their actions."

So it dawned on me last night.

We parents HAVE got to do it right. I am teaching my boys every time I react to them. If I get frustrated and speak harshly with them. -I've just taught them how to react under stress. If I decide to ignore them and clean the kitchen/get on the computer/pick up toys, I am teaching them that work comes before people.


Wow.


I was reminded last night that there are four little eyes that watch every move that I make. They see me when you don't. They listen to my tone of voice. They are learning every moment.

I pray for my children --that they will be patient and kind and honorable and wise.

Am I modeling this?

Will I lead them astray?

Do my words match my actions? Do my teachings match what they hear me say?

I have a few years to impress everything I know on my children. Then they are gone. Lessons that I haven't taught them will either not be learned or they will have to learn the hard way.

I read through Deuteronomy earlier this year. It surprised me how many times we are told to "teach these things to your children." Check it out. Deut. 6


“These are the commands, decrees, and regulations that the Lord your God commanded me to teach you. You must obey them in the land you are about to enter and occupy,

2 and you and your children and grandchildren must fear the Lord your God as long as you live. If you obey all his decrees and commands, you will enjoy a long life.

3 Listen closely, Israel, and be careful to obey. Then all will go well with you, and you will have many children in the land flowing with milk and honey, just as the Lord, the God of your ancestors, promised you.

4 “Listen, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone.

5 And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength.

6 And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today.

7 Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.

8 Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders.

9 Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.



I think God is serious.



"You parents!!! Yeah, you. Your job is to teach your children everything there is to know about me," that's what God is saying here.

Why do we often not see this as a primary job? Why do we let Veggie Tales teach our children the Bible? Sunday school? Even AWANA?

Raising my sons to know the Bible is Mike and my job.

I need to show them what that looks like --lived out. I need to tell them why they must learn to obey. I need to explain God's love to them. I need to live like one loved by God.


so much pressure! haha.




But really, it's cool.

God's unending grace is what I'm banking on for this task.

and it is enough