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. enJOYing The Journey JJ Daniel, Washington . . |
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GOD’S
PLAN - FOR THE MAN-CHILD
Looking
at this generation of children and teens – I can’t help but think that “God’s
plan” for the family has somehow been lost, or forgotten. Any
time, in any area of life – that we get away from “God’s plan” we will
experience un-necessary pain and problems.
God set His plan in place before He even designed the earth; His
principals, His guidelines, His plan and His purpose for His creation is in
tact and will bring success, fulfillment, happiness and peace; these things
are hard to hang on to outside of His plan. No matter how society has
“changed” and “grown” – God’s plan remains the same; He will not tweak His
plans to accommodate a busy lifestyle or our own order-of-the-day. School
Teachers of our day will tell you that there has been a tremendous shift in
the behavior of children over the past few years; I’m sure that they can also
tell you that there has been a tremendous shift in “parenting skills” as
well. I know one Elementary-School
Teacher who has had to call for support in the classroom, just to survive the
day. Often, the children of this generation have no concept of “respect” –
and many seem unable to concentrate long enough to grasp the simplest
concepts. The “special needs classes” are full and running over – and the
every-day classrooms have turned into a war-zone! What has happened to our children?! I don’t claim to be an expert on any topic, especially
children – however, from observation, I have formed an opinion – and that’s
what you are about to hear… just an opinion. When God designed the “family-unit” – He put it
together the way that it will work best. He has ONE PLAN; He is a God with
specific ideas and principals, and His plan works! Many children have been raised by the
television, the computer – and by the public education system – this was not
God’s plan, and I believe that we are seeing the results of this “lack of
order” today. Children & Teens are use to fast-paced television
programs, video games, arcade games and computers. Sitting down to read a
book, or even to look at the pictures, or listening to a story - seems to be
a thing of the past. The things that our minds are flooded with, at an early
age – are the things that will mold our thinking and most of our actions, for
life. We seem to have
misplaced the art of “parenting” and replaced it with a “quick fix” ... a
“band-aid” to take care of the need at hand. But where then, does the child learn
life-skills and godly-principals? Where are they taught respect or
relationship? Depending on the media to instill respect, honesty,
integrity or the value of good relationships – is stupidity run amuck! God gave parents the responsibility of
raising the children that He entrusts to them… no one and nothing else can do
that job as well as a loving, patient, godly parent. Oh, I understand that these days, in America it is
usually necessary for both parents to work, and I understand that “parents
are doing the best they can” today. It is sad that 50% of families are now
single-parent homes, but that is the society that we live in today (even
among believers). Nevertheless, it is God’s plan for the parents to raise
their children, to teach them, correct them, guide them and to instill
godly-principals, into them. When we are walking in God’s
order-of-things, He will give us a grace to do it well, and we will succeed.
(Ps. 1:1-3) Outside of His plan
and order of things – we’re on our own! “It takes a village to raise a child” is a statement that I’ve heard
several times in the past couple years; If that is truth, parents need to be
very careful what “village” they lend that child to! “Raise up a child in the way it should go, and when he
is old he will not depart from them.” This Scripture speaks of godly-principals, yes – of
course! We need to be living a godly-example for our children to
follow, and teaching them to live according to God’s Word. And… this
Scripture also speaks of the child’s “bent”. Raise them in the “way” they should go…
speaks of raising them according to their individual design. It is a good
parent, who pays attention to each child and takes notice of the things that
are born in them… their giftedness, their talents, their passions and
interests. Raising them and teaching them and growing them in that direction,
according to God’s purpose and plan for that life – is God’s plan. Who else
would care about your child enough to raise them and love them like you could?! Isaiah 43 tells us that God formed that child in the
womb, brought him/her forth at His appointed time and He carries that child
along every day of it’s life. Psalm 139 tells us that whatever choice the
child makes, where ever he makes his bed… God knows right where they are, and
He never takes His eye off that child. We can trust God with our children…
can He trust us to do our part?
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