Children Learn From Their Parents
"Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it."
-- Proverbs 22:6
I always have to chuckle when I read this proverb. A lady I know shared a story one day that was such a testimony to its truth.
Her adult son called her one Sunday afternoon. He was quite upset with her. As a busy excutive he had little time to indulge in golf. He decided to hit the golf course on Sunday morning rather than hit the pew, if you know what I mean. He felt so guilty he couldn't even enjoy his round of golf. He blamed his mother because she was the one who taught him that Sunday mornings were to be spent in church worshiping the Lord.
How awesome is that? It is so true. I was never fortunate enough to have children, so I can only observe the relationships between parents and their kids. It amazes me what I see sometimes. Not the kids. They are almost always wonderful. It's the parents who just blow my mind.
If you tell a kid "no," then give in every time he pleads, don't be surprised when he never accepts "no." He's just learned he has to keep at it. If you raise a child to believe the world revolves around him because your world revolves around him, don't be surprised to find out he expects everyone to cater to his needs first. And if you don't make a child say "please" and "thank you," why do you expect him to grow into adulthood and suddenly acquire these skills? They're learned behaviors and you taught him what he knows.
I see so many wonderful parents. They are patient in meltdowns. They insist on manners. They stand firm when it would be easier to give in. And they get up every Sunday morning, get themselves and their kids fed and dressed, then head to church. I know it's got to be hard and tiring and would be so much easier just to laze around. They do it anyway. They understand that if they raise their kids to attend church, to worship God, to love Jesus and seek the Holy Spirit, then they'll continue to do those things throughout their lives. Just ask my friend. I doubt her son will be playing golf on Sunday morning anymore.
No comments:
Post a Comment