![]() ![]() Is there any unforgiveness or anger towards my Earthly parents that I may be holding on to? Am I willing to release that today to find a new level of freedom?Ģ. Second, what if “father” represents God and “mother” represents “the Church”?Īdditional questions to reflect on today:ġ. One final thought regarding family and influence… God gives us this commandment in Exodus 20:12: “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.” Is it possible that this command holds a double meaning? First, we are called to honor our Earthly parents (even when we feel they are “unworthy” of our honor). A childlike and abiding trust in Providence is its best preventive and remedy.” Tyron Edwards “Anxiety is the rust of life, destroying its brightness and weakening its power. There is a wonder, awe, purity, and hope that comes from taking the perspective of a child. ![]() Heaven is more accessible when we are “child-like.” What can you learn from the children around you? Personally, as a Christian Counselor, I can often learn more from my child and adolescent patients than I do from the obstinate and stubborn adults I sometimes work with. God has put specific children in your life for you to influence… will you be obedient to that? What does this look like practically?Ģ. What are some things you can do in your life to encourage and grow the babies, children, and youth around you. Don’t get in the way of children and Jesus. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.”” What can we learn from this?ġ. Check out Matthew 19:14 (NLT): “Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. The children all around us are going to effect this nation and world and we are called to lead by example and to assist their parents in providing a clear path to relationship with God. I bolded it so that you really get that! Whether we have our own children or not, we are responsible for impacting, encouraging, and guiding the next generation. We do, however, have several friends and family members with children whom we have been given the privilege of influencing. My wife and I are not parents, yet, but hope to one day be given that blessing and responsibility. What one child needs and responds to may be very different from what another needs and responds to. The emphasis is on the word “they” for a reason… each of the children in our lives are unique and different, so we should treat them as such. I was reminded again by a friend the other day of the significance of this verse: “Train up a child in the way they should go,” (Prov 22:6). The next generation will take care of us and will be the one’s leading congress, preaching, teaching, creating, designing, and healing. I love this quote and the responsibility that it carries. We shape and sand selflessly with that thought in mind.” “raising arrows” is all about keeping in mind the fact that as Christians, we are raising unique individuals who will someday be let loose to fly with precision and accuracy at the target set before them by the Lord. No two quivers (families) are exactly alike, just as no two arrows are fashioned the same. ![]() They are called a “reward” and a “heritage.” It is our duty as parents to recognize the privilege of raising children whom God has blessed with unique gifts, talents and personalities. ![]() “The Lord views children as an important part of the family unit. I recently read this great quote on a blog written by a Christian mom named Amy Roberts: What does “family” mean to you? One of the dictionary definitions that Webster gives us is, “ Family |ˈfam(ə)lē|: a person or people related to one and so to be treated with a special loyalty or intimacy.” Some of us have blood related family, and some of us do not… but I believe that this feeling “part of” a “family” of some form is something that we all deeply desire. “Children are a gift from the LORD they are a reward from him. Children born to a young man are like arrows in a warrior’s hands. How joyful is the man whose quiver is full of them! He will not be put to shame when he confronts his accusers…” Psalm 127: 3-5 (NLT) ![]()
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