We have a landline. Remember those? We have one, because we use it for faxing. And when Carrie and I go out, we have a way for the children to contact us in case of emergency (which is often used only to call us and complain about what another sibling is or isn’t doing!).
That phone rings five times a day, but we don’t answer it. So who is calling? Telemarketers. We don’t even know the phone number (it’s in our cell). We haven’t given the phone number to anyone. Literally, we never answer the phone.
Guess what happens when Carrie and I go out on a date and we want to call home to tell them something? We get what we have modeled. They also ignore the ringing.
I am discovering more and more just how much our children “catch” the stuff we do and don’t do.
“Don’t say that!” Mom exclaims with deep sounding disapproval. “Where did you hear that?”
They respond, “Dad.”
Our children will also ignore the things we don’t make a priority. What “ringing” do you ignore? Serving others, loving your neighbors, family prayer and devotions?
Do your children see you read your Bible? Do they see you depend upon God, really trust in Him?
We must be the model; let our children see us practice these things that bring us closer to God. We disciple our children in so many areas: studying, fixing things, even brushing teeth…but are we discipling them; modeling for them how to follow God?
I have to pray, “God, help me to be a great example to my children. Help me to model a dependence upon You, on prayer, on Your Word; knowing that it is vital to their dependence upon You. Help me not to ignore the most important things that will help them depend upon You.”
Written by Jonathan
Rev. Jonathan Cronkhite has been serving youth and families in full time
ministry for the last 23 years. With the heart of a pastor, he encourages and equips families to have Homes Devoted, through conferences, workshops, coaching and writing. Married to Carrie for 22 years, they have 5 children, run a home school co-op, drama club and invite 50 people over once a month for airsoft battles.
Comments 2
This is so true- there’s also another adage that I’ve heard… “what the parents do in moderation, the children will do in excess”
Genesis 26:6-7
6 So Isaac dwelt in Gerar. 7 And the men of the place asked about his wife. And he said, “She is my sister”; for he was afraid to say, “She is my wife,” because he thought, “lest the men of the place kill me for Rebekah, because she is beautiful to behold.”
Lord, wake me up to the things that I am doing that I don’t want to pass down!
Author
I just heard that quote again last night! So true. The scary thing is they will most probably relate to God the way they relate to us.
I pray that God will make up for all the ways I don’t match up.
Thanks for the comment!