As my children are growing, I realize how parenting is/will be my hardest job ever. Don't get me wrong, or take that statement in the wrong way. I love being a mommy and all the things that go with this role. Good and bad! I guess my eyes were opened to how easily my children could be swayed by others and turn in a different direction than what my hubby and I are trying to teach them and instill in them as they grow. Keira told me the other day what she learned in school - that humans are animals (mammals), etc. I understand what the lesson was covering, but what got me was when she tells me that "we had whiskers" and something about the "dots on our hands." Granted some old ladies have whiskers, I will give her that, but I said we are not animals in the sense she was referring to. In her little mind, she was referring to animals , like dogs and cats, etc. As we are discussing this further, she informs me that it is true b/c "my teacher said so." I got a dose of just how much influence a teacher , a coach, anyone for that matter could have over my kids. For the record, I am not bashing Keira's teacher. I think she does a wonderful job! It just showed me how much influence someone can have on my kids. I realized how as my kids get older and they may be around people who believe in evolution or don't beleive in God, could say things, re-word things, etc that could sway my kids from the truth. So, we must equip our kids with the truth of God's word.
I had the talk about how teachers don't know everything, well, no one does. Keira tends to put her teachers(school, dance, etc) up on a pedestal and that is ok, but eventually she will learn they are just like everyone else, not perfect, will let her down, etc. Life lesson to learn. I have done the same thing in my life and it can turn out bad if you don't realize that your focus should be on Jesus and heavenly things, instead of people and earthly things.
We are halfway in the school year and it has showed me that as parents we must be consistent and stay on top of things as we raise our children. Keira has picked up things at school that our family does not say or do and man, you can see her little rebellion wheels start turning. Prime example of how our flesh takes over and wants the things we should refrain from. We don't celebrate halloween, we don't do ghosts, witches, etc. I went to her party at school and never realized how much halloween is celebrated in our schools. It is on the bulletin boards, in their parties, in their candy, etc. She knows we don't celebrate this holiday, so she was just thrilled that this went on at school. She even told me once that she "celebrates in her brain." Wow! See how the flesh is at work and Satan, even in a 5yr old. So, in the future, our kids will probably not be going to school on halloween party days. We can't avoid it all, since they do worksheets the week of halloween with all this stuff on it, but we have to stick to what we believe and we are not concerned what others think or say. We have to rely on what the Bible says and we are striving to raise our children on God's word, not anyone else's.
We also have taught our kids not to say "Oh, my God" or "Oh, my gosh" , yet this is something they hear on a regular basis. It would be so much easier to just give in and let them say these things, but here again, we are trying to teach them the importance of not taking God's name in vain. I am sure it is so difficult for Keira to hear this and think it is ok to say. She understands why we don't say this and other things, but I can see that she wants to cave and be like others.
She didn't know who Justin Bieber was until she went to school. I am just amazed at what some kids listen to, she sure doesn't know who Lady Gaga or some of the rappers are. Yet, kids her age do and they don't care to share their knowledge. All this just brings me back to how this road of parenting is going to be a challenge. We have to rely on God's word and go to Scripture and seek Him.
Proverbs 22:6 says Train a child up in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. We know God's words are true and don't change. His promises he keeps. We have to teach our kids what
1 John 2:15 says Do not love the world or the things in this world. "If anyone loves the world, the love of the father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world - the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions- is not from the Father but is from the world. 17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
Is this an easy thing to do? No. I fail miserably and daily. But, I have to keep on keeping on, trusting God and His word. I have to keep teaching my kids His word and live them myself, not just say them. I fail at this all the time. It is a hard balance to try to teach our kids to be in this world, but not of it. I get caught up in this world and the "stuff" that goes with it. But, praise the Lord, Jesus saves us from all our sins and we are washed clean.
So, our road of parenting continues, we will have ups and downs - storms will come - prayers may be answered, prayers may not be answered, but we know that God's will is going to be done. If I have learned anything in almost 6 yrs of parenting, it is that I had better stop on the road and get on my knees and pray.....pray.....pray....for my kids.
Psalms 127:3-5 Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.
As my children are growing, I realize how parenting is/will be my hardest job ever. Don't get me wrong, or take that statement in the wrong way. I love being a mommy and all the things that go with this role. Good and bad! I guess my eyes were opened to how easily my children could be swayed by others and turn in a different direction than what my hubby and I are trying to teach them and instill in them as they grow. Keira told me the other day what she learned in school - that humans are animals (mammals), etc. I understand what the lesson was covering, but what got me was when she tells me that "we had whiskers" and something about the "dots on our hands." Granted some old ladies have whiskers, I will give her that, but I said we are not animals in the sense she was referring to. In her little mind, she was referring to animals , like dogs and cats, etc. As we are discussing this further, she informs me that it is true b/c "my teacher said so." I got a dose of just how much influence a teacher , a coach, anyone for that matter could have over my kids. For the record, I am not bashing Keira's teacher. I think she does a wonderful job! It just showed me how much influence someone can have on my kids. I realized how as my kids get older and they may be around people who believe in evolution or don't beleive in God, could say things, re-word things, etc that could sway my kids from the truth. So, we must equip our kids with the truth of God's word.
I had the talk about how teachers don't know everything, well, no one does. Keira tends to put her teachers(school, dance, etc) up on a pedestal and that is ok, but eventually she will learn they are just like everyone else, not perfect, will let her down, etc. Life lesson to learn. I have done the same thing in my life and it can turn out bad if you don't realize that your focus should be on Jesus and heavenly things, instead of people and earthly things.
We are halfway in the school year and it has showed me that as parents we must be consistent and stay on top of things as we raise our children. Keira has picked up things at school that our family does not say or do and man, you can see her little rebellion wheels start turning. Prime example of how our flesh takes over and wants the things we should refrain from. We don't celebrate halloween, we don't do ghosts, witches, etc. I went to her party at school and never realized how much halloween is celebrated in our schools. It is on the bulletin boards, in their parties, in their candy, etc. She knows we don't celebrate this holiday, so she was just thrilled that this went on at school. She even told me once that she "celebrates in her brain." Wow! See how the flesh is at work and Satan, even in a 5yr old. So, in the future, our kids will probably not be going to school on halloween party days. We can't avoid it all, since they do worksheets the week of halloween with all this stuff on it, but we have to stick to what we believe and we are not concerned what others think or say. We have to rely on what the Bible says and we are striving to raise our children on God's word, not anyone else's.
We also have taught our kids not to say "Oh, my God" or "Oh, my gosh" , yet this is something they hear on a regular basis. It would be so much easier to just give in and let them say these things, but here again, we are trying to teach them the importance of not taking God's name in vain. I am sure it is so difficult for Keira to hear this and think it is ok to say. She understands why we don't say this and other things, but I can see that she wants to cave and be like others.
She didn't know who Justin Bieber was until she went to school. I am just amazed at what some kids listen to, she sure doesn't know who Lady Gaga or some of the rappers are. Yet, kids her age do and they don't care to share their knowledge. All this just brings me back to how this road of parenting is going to be a challenge. We have to rely on God's word and go to Scripture and seek Him. Proverbs 22:6 says Train a child up in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. We know God's words are true and don't change. His promises he keeps. We have to teach our kids what 1 John 2:15 says Do not love the world or the things in this world. "If anyone loves the world, the love of the father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world - the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions- is not from the Father but is from the world. 17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
Is this an easy thing to do? No. I fail miserably and daily. But, I have to keep on keeping on, trusting God and His word. I have to keep teaching my kids His word and live them myself, not just say them. I fail at this all the time. It is a hard balance to try to teach our kids to be in this world, but not of it. I get caught up in this world and the "stuff" that goes with it. But, praise the Lord, Jesus saves us from all our sins and we are washed clean.
So, our road of parenting continues, we will have ups and downs - storms will come - prayers may be answered, prayers may not be answered, but we know that God's will is going to be done. If I have learned anything in almost 6 yrs of parenting, it is that I had better stop on the road and get on my knees and pray.....pray.....pray....for my kids.
Psalms 127:3-5 Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.
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