I see a lot of parents posting current pictures of their children alongside a picture of them from a year ago or ten years ago. I do it, too, with my kids and grandkids. We are all amazed and sometimes shocked at how fast they have grown in such a relatively short amount of time. And the common theme of most of the comments are about how incredibly fast the time has gone. For all of you younger parents, let me caution you, it only goes faster the older you get!
That is why I am sounding the alarm. It’s time to go to battle for your children. You are their guardians and defenders. You have the primary responsibility for equipping them to go out into the world once they reach adulthood. There are so many other influences and detractors out there. They need time and consistency from you and tons of love and a bit of discipline as well.
There is a battlefield out there in the world for certain. There is an enemy that wants to draw them away from you and onto their side. There is also a battlefield of the mind. Our children need our time, so they are not caught up in a world of make believe and fantasy for so many hours a day. Pull them away from the television and video games and engage them in family activities. Get them outside for a good balance of fresh air, sunshine, and personal contact. Let them know how much you love and care for them by doing things with them.
All of us look back after our children have grown and think of things we should have done, or maybe even things we should not have done. That is a natural thing to do, but don’t beat yourself up over that. Pour yourself into your children’s lives, even after they’re grown. Then do the same with your grandchildren. You’ll have so much wisdom to share and, hopefully, you’ll have the opportunity to share it without driving your children crazy. Remember how much you hated your parents’ advice?
Above all else, pray daily for your children. Be their greatest intercessor and pray for God’s physical, emotional, and spiritual protection over them. Go to battle!
Proverbs 4:23 (NLT) - “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.”