The Main Thing

Ahhhh, my favorite time of day. Kids are tucked in bed and all is quiet, finally. Crazy days, anyone relate? Something that God continues to impress upon my heart is to "keep the main thing the main thing". I can look around the house and see various "projects" my kids have created, dishes in the sink, laundry to be folded, trying to make order with one hand as I hold a baby in the other, etc., etc., and I start to have a bit of that self pity that we can allow to creep in. Then I think of the 4 blessings God has given me and all that goes with that is to be treasured - for I am reminded by parents with children grown and gone, to enjoy this time. So back to the main thing - we as parents have so many roles and responsibilities, but do you know the primary role we are given as parents? To teach our children the Word of God and to teach them to obey us so that one day they will obey their heavenly Father.

Psalm 78:4-5 "We will not hide them [God's teachings] from their children; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders he has done."

Deut. 6:6-7 "These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."

There are several other verses related to this as well as many on disciplining your children. So in the midst of a crazy day wishing someone would swoop in to take my children for just a couple hours while I regain order - I stop and remind myself what my primary goal is - to raise children who love the LORD their God with all their heart, soul, mind and strength. So I ask myself - have I talked to them about God today? Have I prayed with them? Have we discussed a Bible story or read one to them? Have I kept my cool and disciplined lovingly and consistently? Have I shown them the love and grace that my Father shows me? If the house isn't in perfect order, if we aren't able to go to an event or be in an activity, etc. It's okay. I need to keep my focus on what God has deemed most important. (I do know our God is a God of order, and order is a wonderful thing to have, just not at the expense of our children's knowledge and understanding of the one true God.)

Teach them the Word!