Our Reward on Earth - Children

There are few purposes in life more important than bringing up children, and that most definitely includes all non-parents who have any association with children. Parents may have the most influence, but everyone has influence on everybody, and that includes the little ones. We are a guiding force to them while they are a reward to us all. How would God raise a child? Better than any of us, so we probably should introduce the two.

But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple courts, “Hosanna to the Son of David,” they were indignant. “Do you hear what these children are saying?” they asked him. “Yes,” replied Jesus, “have you never read, “ ‘From the lips of children and infants you, Lord, have called forth your praise’?” - Matthew 21:15-16

This is where "from the mouths of babes" came from. Children are in many ways more observant and wise, and I can tell you from my own experience, I've probably learned more from my own daughter than I've taught her.

People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them. - Mark 10:13-16

He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me. “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. - Matthew 18:2-6

Children are quicker to be meek or humble, occupying a lowly position in society with little to no power. Generally, that's still true today. That's not to say they never argue or disobey, which will be covered later, but they are mostly open-hearted. These are some of the ways a child can teach you, just by being themselves. Jesus becomes a mother bear while talking about these little ones, warning any one who should attempt to take away their innocence and loving hearts.

Speaking of causing children to stumble, we must be careful to guide them through whatever obstacles life may throw their way in their spiritual path. Let them encounter said obstacles, pointing out what lessons they teach while the consequences are small . They will come across those obstacles again, but they may be bigger next time. How to teach them? There are as many parenting styles as there are stars in the sky. Let's just be sure we pay attention to God's advice in this area (since he's the ultimate Father).

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. - Proverbs 22:6

I started with this one cause it's the hardest to understand. Doing everything just right in parenting or raising a child in faith will not ensure they believe or that they'll even be a decent person. God is a perfect Father, and many of His children fell astray. That's the whole reason we need a savior. The fact is, this is a very generalized guideline to the general public. If you train a child up in wisdom and love, they will be much more likely to follow God's ways than if you don't. However, that doesn't mean they're hopeless even then, thank God! The fact is, we all have free will. Do your best.

Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far away. - Proverbs 22:15

Rod of discipline sure sounds like a spanking to me. Actually, it can mean any form of discipline. Some children react horribly to spankings, and some don't react at all. Every child is different, and every parent must follow the way they feel best reaches their child. In the end, however, children at some point always need discipline. Don't withhold that from them because they can't learn without all your tools from your parenting belt, and that's doing them more harm than good. Even God disciplines those He loves (Hebrews 12:6). Are you better than He? Just find the right method for your child.

Impress them on your children. Talk about them (God's commandments) when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. - Deuteronomy 6:7

This should be obvious. Teach them God's basic commands and will.

Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. - Ephesians 6:4

Not just for fathers, really. If the shoe fits, put it on. Don't exasperate (provoke is another translation) your children. It probably states fathers because men can (generally) be quicker to express anger. Put away unnecessary yelling, excessive discipline, constantly getting onto the child for small things. This will not help them. It will harm them. If you poke the bear, expect it to lash out.

Lest you forget parenting is a two-way street, here's some advice God has for being a child.

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

“Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you. - Exodus 20:12 (This is one of the 10 commandments.)

Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. They are a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck. - Proverbs 1:8-9

Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. - Colossians 3:20

Since there may be people of all types reading this blog and some of you may have had abusive or damaging parents, these are all instructions for typical children of typical parents. God does not want children to obey their parent's commandment to harm themselves or do evil (no authority is higher than God). Understand the context in which these words are written and the spirit behind them.

For everyone else, you might love these words. You need to let your children know of God's words for both parents and children, so they know your expectations for them and for yourselves and your reasoning behind it being God.

Whatever you do, don't forget that all children, no matter how difficult or easy, are gifts from God.

Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children. - Proverbs 17:6

Children are a heritage from the LORD, offspring a reward from him. - Psalm 127:3-5

He lifted his eyes and saw the women and the children, and said, "Who are these with you?" So he said, "The children whom God has graciously given your servant." - Genesis 33:5

None of us are perfect parents or children because none of us are perfect humans. Some days we fail more than we succeed, but it's so very important that God's overarching message comes across no matter what you do: love. Love doesn't mean permissiveness. God is not permissive even though He is Love. We should treat our children as though we are Children of God and so are they.

Do you have any advice on how to raise children that you've received from God's Word?

God bless!

Steward of the Kingdom of God

You've probably heard the parable of the talents.

If not, Matthew 25:14-30 tells a story of a traveling master and his servants who remain in his home. They are expected to be stewards of his household while he's absent, and he gives one servant five talents (a type of currency), one servant two talents, and one servant a single talent. When the master returns, he asks about his money. The one with five talents invested and ended up with ten talents. The one with two talents did the same and ended up with four talents. However, the servant with one talent was afraid that he would lose the only money his master gave him, and he buried it so no one could steal it. The master was overjoyed with the first two, giving them even more ("Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master!’"). Yet he was angered with the last for "playing it safe" and not investing his money.

Honestly, this was always a very confusing parable to me until a friend of mine described one interpretation. The word "talent" in Greek means a measurement, which could be used to weigh a sum of precious metal. Basically, a talent was a certain amount of money. The parable in Matthew is the origin of the use of the word "talent" to mean "gift or skill."

I have a passion (and hopefully skill) for writing. I have a vivid memory of sitting on the front porch as a child, making up stories with pictures and creating a book. I stapled printer paper with sloppy drawings and declared it a success. At about eleven, I wrote family newspapers, with the very first created on an old typewriter. At about twelve or thirteen, I received my very own computer. That was when poems and short stories started pouring from my fingertips.

God gives us all gifts and talents to steward in His name. This world and our lives (the master's home) are not ours but His, and our talents are not our own but His given to us for a time. What does it mean to steward? One definition would be:

"One employed in a large household or estate to manage domestic concerns (as the supervision of servants, collection of rents, and keeping of accounts), a fiscal agent, one who actively directs affairs" (Merriam-Webster).

In another words, this parable points toward the responsibility we have all been given to steward God's things. What are God's things? That would be everything: time, talents, energy, emotion, material objects (including literal money), and anything else you can imagine. Although we can not see God in the flesh (at least that we are aware of), this is still His world and you merely live in it. So, what does he expect us to do with His things?

Invest it. When you invest in your talents and utilize them for God, He will make it "reap where you don't sow", doubling, tripling the effect of your efforts in the world and in your life (like multiplying the fishes and loaves). You utilize the gifts and talents He gives when you:

1) Give credit for their presence to God. Praise and gratefulness will bring not only a healthier, happier attitude, but will bring joy into others' lives, spreading the blessings of God beyond you. It keeps your eyes pointing to the One responsible for it all.

2) Grow in your skills, but understand you don't need to be perfect to invest. The third servant only had one skill given to him. Don't become lazy, static, or fearful. Be always moving, sometimes stretching to the point of discomfort. Ask for God to guide you. As they say, "God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called." You may not be the best but all the better so that your successes will give God the glory, which folds into the next on the list.

3) Use your gifts and talents for God's glory. This can mean many things. If you are good at cooking, you could volunteer at a soup kitchen or bring hot meals to the infirm or elderly. You could also serve homey dinners to your family and bring chicken soup to your friend when they're ill. If you are good at compassion, talking, telling jokes, you could be a volunteer at the local hospital, visit nursing homes and hospitals where there are many lonely or in need of entertainment. You could also visit your own grandparents or babysit a child to allow your friend a date night with her husband. If you are good at singing, you could sing Godly songs to the world, whether that's on stage or in your child's ear as a lulluby. Basically, whatever you do, let it point to God and his ways of light (truth) and love (compassion and charity).

4) Let them be part of your discipleship. This actually spins off of the last suggestion. When you use your gifts and talents for His glory, you also bring people into a better knowledge of what it means to be a child of God. It spreads His good news of being our savior, and it points to hope in a broken world.

Let me be clear, your skills and talents may exist outside of your paid work. Other times, they're part of your 9-5. Your talents may exist in your kindness with those going through a tough time, patience with angry customers, and lifting spirits of grieving hearts. Your gifts may include children, spouse, parents, friends, and you are expected to lead, guide toward the truth, love them unconditionally, and raise (children) to be good stewards and disciples themselves.

There's a song by Steven Curtis Chapman called "Do Everything," which I believe encapsulates this idea. Whether you're "picking up toys on the living room floor for the fifteenth time today," "you may be hooking up mergers, cooking up burgers," but it all matters equally in the eyes of God. Do not waste this moment by burying your talent in fear of rejection or using up all of God's gifts for only your own personal gain.

I've felt from a young age that writing is my calling. For this reason, I have started this very blog to use my joy in writing to spread my love of God. What is your talent, and what gifts could you invest today?

Every moment is a gift. Whether sweeping up the school halls or running for president, may you forever remember that God gave you this moment to be a steward of His mansion, and He gave you the talents to invest in spreading the Kingdom of God to the world.