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We should never forget the great responsibility that God has given us with
our children. We should never take it lightly and think to let them grow
up without our instruction and our guidance. We are the shaper and molder
of their lives and what we do to them and for them will determine the kind
of life they will lead. The Bible is very clear concerning raising our
children the right way. The Bible declares in Proverbs 22:6 “Train up a
child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”
We are to train them with good things and point them towards the right path
and when they are older, they will not depart from our teachings. The
Scripture says train them up in the way they should go. We are to spend
time loving, teaching, encouraging, disciplining, and simply leading our
life by example so that they may follow in our footsteps. Be encouraged to
think again on how you are spending time with your children. Whether we
realize it or not, we are training them each day on the path they should take.
I hope this simple message ministers and encourages your heart to be wise
in how you teach your children. You have great opportunities to raise
mighty children who will lift up your name by the example you have set for
their life.
KNEADING THE BREAD
Last Christmas, Ginny gave me something I’ve always wanted, a bread maker.
It takes ten minutes to put the ingredients into the machine and turn it
on. Four hours later, I have a wonderful loaf of bread.
As much as I love my new machine, when I have time, I like to make bread
the old way. The dough squeezing through my fingers is somehow comforting.
At first it’s a bit messy, but after it has risen the first time, I knead
it again. This time the dough is soft and smooth. I get lost in thought, as
I turn the dough over and over. The repetitive motion is relaxing, almost
hypnotizing.
I let the dough rise again, pop it in the oven, and soon the house is full
of its heavenly aroma. When it’s done, I wait for it to cool enough to cut
that first delicious slice. As I wait, I admire it. It’s a work of art,
shaped and molded with time and experience.
I looked at my son the other day and realized, raising children is a lot
like making a loaf of bread. At first, they are tiny and helpless and yes,
even messy. All the ingredients are there to create a fine human being, but
we have to knead, mold, and shape them, until they rise into fine adults.
Most children reach a stage, usually in their mid to late teens, where they
resist the kneading. They think they no longer need our guidance or advice
and believe they’re ready to take on the world. Just like the first rising
of the dough, we have to let them be for a bit. We need to give them space
to grow and learn on their own.
Somewhere in their twenties, they change again, and once more seek our
advice. It’s time for the second kneading. This time, however, like the
dough, they are softer and ready to be kneaded and molded. They accept the
fact, that we do indeed know what we are doing, and allow us to shape them
the final time.
My son is not ready for his second kneading, but the time will come. When
it does, I’ll take time to knead and mold him the final time. Afterward,
I’ll be able to look at him and say to myself, “He’s a work of art, created
with time and experience.”
I think I’m going to have a fine loaf when I’m done.
By Michael T. Smith
Read and meditate on these scriptures:
Ephesians 6:1-4 “Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is
right. Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with
promise;) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the
earth. And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them
up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”
Proverbs 3:11-12 “My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither
be weary of His correction: For whom the LORD loveth He correcteth; even as
a father the son in whom he delighteth.”
Proverbs 13:24 “He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth
him chasteneth him betimes.”
Proverbs 6:20-23 “My son, keep thy father’s commandment, and forsake not
the law of thy mother: Bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie
them about thy neck. When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou
sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with
thee. For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of
instruction are the way of life.”
All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible.
Today’s Selected Poem: HOW TO RAISE A CROOK
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/inpoem127.htm
Today’s Selected Testimony: VALERIE'S TESTIMONY
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony116.htm
In Christ’s Service,
Dwayne Savaya
God’s Work Ministry |
