Parental Prototypes (1)

The excitement of welcoming a new family member, is followed by great responsibility. It is wise to pray for the child before he/she is born, pray that God will give you as parents all necessary resources and His will to be done in your baby's life.

We couldn't wait to see if it will be a girl or a boy. When we finally found out, we were anxious to have all the details ready for the baby's arrival.

"Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him". (Psalms 127:3)

We realize the blessing of having heritage from the Lord in the baby's first hours.
The couple is now confronted with a totally new roll for them: the one of being parents.
Now as parents, how we supposed to know what and how to deal with God's reward? Those who call themselves Christians and follow Christ in every step they do, will surely take God's example of parenting.

As parents we must realize that our children do what they see us doing. Do not expect your child to have a better vocabulary than you have or be thankful if you are not.
Our children know us better than we know ourselves in many aspects of life. I heard my older boy once saying something that I didn't like him to say and while wondering where from he could have heard that ... I realized that the problem was mine, I was the one who talks like that. Upsss! I couldn't believe it my 4 years old son spotted it! Parents, we must be aware that our children will not be more kind and gentile than we are.

Discipline is a very important tool of our Father in the process of holiness. Our Father wants us to obey him. When we do not, because God loves us, he disciplines us and we have to admit that every time this hurts.

"My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline and do not resent his rebuke, because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in" (Proverbs 3:11,12)

We will apply discipline if we want positive results in our children's behavior but note, don't discipline your child in the urge of your fury!

When we apply discipline we have seriously consider our heart's attitude, I mean extremely seriously. We must not have an attitude of anger but take a deep breath(or as long as it takes to cool down the nerves) and pray before applying discipline, that God will work in your child wisdom, a character according to His will, being conscious that we also are in His hands and He sees our heart.

"He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him" (Proverbs 13:24)

We must be firm not raising our voice so the child will know that we are not happy to do that but we must do it because we love him and we want him in the Kingdom of heaven.

"Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish him with the rod, he will not die. Punish him with the rod and save his soul from death. (Proverbs 23:13,14)
God's word is clear enough for those who have ears to hear. Using the rod when punishing may save his soul from death. This is more important than being afraid to use rod(I don't mean a physical abuse here, it is a means of saying that you need to correct, you need to teach your child before it is too late) This aspect is about everlasting life. It is not a game we do not play with it, is about our baby's precious soul.

"The rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left to himself disgraces his mother". ( Proverbs 29:15)

Mother, a child left to himself will disgrace you! This are God's words so if we want to impart wisdom in our kids, we (the parents) need to obey first, and use rod. Even if this may seem so roundly.

"Because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son. Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! (Hebrews12:6-8)

Disciplining your child with discernment and not abusing in any way, is precious, as precious as his/her very soul!