I have food in my refrigerator and pantry. I put it there because I want to make sure my children have what they need to grow and develop properly. When I plan a weekly menu, I make sure there are representatives of every food group- some veggies, fruits, grains, proteins, dairy products. I take time to make their meals delicious and enjoyable. I want my kids to be completely nourished and satisfied. We work hard so they won't be hungry.
Now, imagine that at about 5 o'clock every day, I walked down into my kitchen, tied on an apron, and made a dinner for two. My kids-who really don't want to be bothered with coming to the table, don't like to be told what to do, and have other things they prefer to do - just help themselves to whatever they can scrounge up without getting up off the sofa. My husband and I sit down at the table and eat the delicious, nutritious food and wonder why our kids are acting so poorly... they are bickering and grouching and lazy and rude. What is the problem with our kids? We ask ourselves... they're acting hungry, we'd say- but how can that be? We've got plenty of food in the cabinet! the fridge is stocked! We have full bellies!
As ridiculous as that sounds, I wonder if it's possible that any of us do that for our children on a spiritual level? Do we put Bibles on shelves, play Christian music in the background, and hang scripture on our walls and wait for our kids to serve themselves? Do we wake up early for a devotional time, attend Bible studies, and have deep spiritual conversations with our friends, while letting our kids catch what they can? And then, are we wondering why our children seem to be spiritually starving?
This year, I intend to put as much time into making sure my children are fed spiritually as I put into making sure they are fed physically. I want to be sure that I don't assume they're getting fed just because spiritual nourishment is readily available. I know that it's my job to take the time to grow spiritually- but I don't want to pretend that it's just going to settle into my children's hearts by osmosis.
I desperately want to see my children grow to be the men & women God created them to be. Could there be any greater joy? Is this your dream too? What do you do to make sure your children are not spiritually malnourished? I'm genuinely interested in hearing what you have to say- please share....
Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.
Deuteronomy 4:9
1 comments:
I try to pay special attention to where each family member is & meet them where they are, since we're not all on the same page. For the daughter, it's easiest-- I expect because we are in similar walks (praise God that she's already so spiritually mature!). We do "talk time" & pray at the end of the day. Gotta admit that sometimes, I'm do tired, that all we do is pray. Usually, tho, we talk about the drama of the day in school or other issues & talk about how she can be a light to the kids at her secular school, & to those at home. For my prodigal son, I try to let him know that I'll always be there for him, & that I pray for him. I let him know that it grieves me that he's walked away from his faith, but that I won't judge him--yet I expect his respect & support for my point of view, too. I want to keep the lines of communication open, but not to the extent that I would ever denigrate my own walk.
With Husband (prodigal 2), I do as above w/my son, & Ive taken the advice of an elder & his wife, given over 11 years ago. "Treat him as if he's already saved." I try to submit to his wishes as much as possible, & I share my feelings as respectfully as I can. He knows I would like him to be the spiritual leader of this family, & he also knows that I'll love him no matter what.
Would love to hear others' responses, too, as I think we all get in our spiritual ruts, & I want to move closer yet to Him in 2012.
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