I believe that parents are called to honor their children!
Say What?
Whatchu talkin about Willis!!?!
Seriously?
Yep!! Let me say it one more time, this time a little slower…
I…believe…that…parents…are…called…to…honor…their…children!
Yeah, Gods Word is full of the “obey your parents” command. But as you look through scripture, you will also see how important and valuable kids are to Jesus.
One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him. When Jesus saw what was happening, he was angry with his disciples. He said to them, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.” Mark 13-15
Look at this verse in Ephesians as well…
“Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.” Ephesians 6:4
To “provoke . . . to anger” suggests a repeated, ongoing pattern of treatment that gradually builds up a deep-seated anger and resentment that boils over in outward hostility.
It doesn’t specifically use the word honor, but I believe these verses, as well as others point the finger at parents and say…you better honor your kiddos.
Instead…so many parents unknowingly (and sometimes) intentionally “dis-honor” their kids. Is that you?
Here are 7 signs you dis-honor your kids…
- YOUR A WELL MEANING OVER PROTECTOR: Are you one of those smotherer parents? Do you overly restrict where they can go and what they can do? Do you rarely trust them to do things on their own? Do you continually question their judgment?
- YOU SHOW FAVORITISM: For parents to compare their children with each other, this can be devastating to the child who is less talented or favored. He will tend to become discouraged, resentful, withdrawn, and bitter. Favoritism by parents generally leads to favoritism among the children themselves, who pick up the practice from their parents. They will favor one brother or sister over the others and will often favor one parent over the other.
- YOU PUSH ACHIEVEMENT BEYOND REASONABLE BOUNDS: A child can be so pressured to achieve that he is virtually destroyed. He quickly learns that nothing he does is sufficient to please his parents. No sooner does he accomplish one goal than he is challenged to accomplish something better.
- YOUR ARE A DISCOURAGER: A child who is never complimented or encouraged by his parents is destined for trouble.
- YOU MAKE YOUR KIDS FEEL UNWANTED: Children who are made to feel that they are an intrusion, that they are always in the way and interfere with the plans and happiness of the parents, cannot help becoming resentful.
- YOU FORCE YOUR KIDS TO GROW UP FAST: Chiding your kiddos for always acting childish, does not contribute to their maturity but rather helps confirm them in their childishness.
- YOU USE LOVE AS A TOOL: Do you grant love when your child is good and do you withdraw it when he is bad? Often the practice is unconscious, but a child can sense if a parent cares for him less when is he disobedient than when he behaves.
If this is you…you should probably read THIS post next!
Do you struggle with honoring your kids? If so, I would love to hear your story?
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I think sometimes we struggle with making our kids feel unwanted, especially when it comes to sleep, IE: Won’t you just go to sleep so we can be alone, without you?!
But we also assign them to each other “It’s your turn to bathe them, feed them, change them, take them away…” It’s not that we don’t love them it’s that burn out is a daily occurrence with a 1 & 2 year old. However lately we have been trying to say things in front of them like: “Yay I get to bathe you guys” or “Mom is so excited to take you to the park and play!” So even if we assign turns we do it privately, because we want them to feel wanted and loved but we also acknowledge our individual need to recharge and share the parenting.
Good stuff, Sprad.
Good word! I think parenting is one of the biggest lessons in selflessness there is. Sometimes a very hard one. It’s not all about us, it’s about pouring into them. The best way to show them selflessness & servanthood, for God as well as to others is to show them and BE that ourselves. Not to be their *maid*servants*, but a servant of the heart, who is serving and *honoring* them because we love,serve, and HONOR God first! Thanks, Chris!
This really spoke to me. I’ve apparently never read the Ephesians 6:4 verse correctly. I always stopped with “Do not provoke your children”. As someone who has a VERY angry 5-year-old sometimes, I realize that my constant badgering for him to stop acting so childish and calm down and “be better” has created some resentment and hostility towards life. I’ve been praying about this alot. Praying mostly that God will protect his little heart from ME. It’s so hard to teach and discipline the way the Lord does. I constantly have to remind myself how God corrects me, how patient He is with me, how gentle He is with His reminders and try to mirror that. It’s a daily struggle somedays. Thank you for helping me look at these verses a different way today!