Cross thoughts: Christian ideas seen in Sudanese every day life.
I have been blessed by God with two grown up children. So far one has married, effectively giving me a third child, her own chosen husband.
My daughter and son-in-law have been blessed by God in bringing me two young grandsons. What a privilege it is to be a father and a grandfather!
God does not grant this to everyone. Each must accept his own calling.
(See 1 Corinthians 7:7 and around).
“Children’s children are a crown to the aged”, Proverbs 17:6.
Wearing a crown is also a Christian responsibility I accept before God:
“Train (start) a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it”, Proverbs 22:6.
Christian parents should sow God’s word deeply into young hearts and lives. It must have more influence than culture or peer pressure. It has living power.
“Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish him with the rod, he will not die”, Proverbs 23:13.
Christian parents should gently teach right and wrong, and firmly show there are consequences for wrongdoing. Correction must be lovingly instructive.
“Fathers, (parents?), do not exasperate your children; instead bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord”, Ephesians 6:4.
Christian parents are to be living examples to their children and young people. Showing a life that is lived under the Lordship of Jesus Christ in our homes and in our daily lives is our goal. Our life attitudes must be worth copying!
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these”, Matthew 19:14.
Our Lord was not too busy for children – and neither must we be. Possibly the greatest influence we will ever have on our world is the Christian way we nurture our children.
Our children must learn from us to take up the cross and follow Jesus.
July 2008.