June 10, 2005
And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord. -- Ephesians 6:4
Leading up to Father’s Day, I’d like to take some time to talk to you about the importance of roots and wings—making sure your kids grow up and fly right. When my first born son arrived, I was eager to be the best dad possible. Along came the first Christmas or two and my wife and I would pick out the toys, wagons, swings, little cars, and all the rest.
I have to tell you that I ruined about four or five Christmas Eves pretty quickly trying to put together those toys before Christmas. Finally, I discovered that you could go to the store and pay extra to get those toys fully assembled. You have to know that I’m mechanically challenged to say the least. The directions never mean much to me and I usually wind up going at it my own way.
As a result of those fully assembled toys, I had a Merry Christmas every year when my children were small. Wouldn’t it be great if our children came fully assembled? Of course, they don’t. It takes a lot of hard work, sometimes sleepless nights, but I tell you it’s worth it. It really can be Christmas every day when your children and your family are walking with the Lord.
My encouragement to you is to assemble your family together according to the instruction manual—the Word of God. Take time every day to teach your family God’s Word. Ephesians 6:4 gives a clear directive commandment to all parents. It simply says, “And you fathers (meaning you fathers and mothers) do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.”
We’ve been given the responsibility to give our children roots—to ground them in faith so that in the future they may take wings and fly. Make it your goal as a father or mother to raise your children according to the instruction manual—God’s Word.
IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO BRING YOUR CHILDREN UP TO BE
INDEPENDENT FROM YOU AND COMPLETELY DEPENDENT UPON GOD.