A LETTER TO PARENTS
A THOUGHT TO PONDER
Dear Parents,
Your home is blessed with children. Scripture tells us that children are “the heritage of the Lord.” He places these children in our custody in order to train them for the life they will face in the future. There are many things we must do for our children, but none more important than to love them. Realize they are a gift from God. Love has many dimensions and aspects. One requirement of love for a parent is that they discipline their children.
Proverbs 13:24 tells us, He that spares his rod hates his son: but he that loves him disciplines him often and diligently. If you have been a parent for any length of time, you know why a child needs discipline. Some parents take the position that if they discipline their child they will distort his personality or brake his will.
Proverbs 22:15 says. Rebellion is bound in the heart of a child but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him. All of us have a tendency to rebel because we are sinners by natue and practice. Something has to be done to conform our rebellious wills to God so He can work in us and through us.
The purpose of discipline is to curb undesirable habit. The discipline of a child also teaches them to live under the authority of God. We prepare them to live under God’s authority by training them to live under our authority. You do this by bringing his will under subjection to your will. There is only one authority in the home, and if you allow your child to deny this authority, he will bend your will and bring heartache and trouble to your life as well as his.
Children also have some basic needs in the home that we are responsible to provide. Listed below are a few of them:
- One basic need is emotional security.
This is given by helping them build absolutes in their life. There must be parameters for them to live within and they must know that if they cross these limits it will bring punishment. A boundary is like a fence. It limits our activity, but it protects your privacy. Make sure his fences are secure.
- Another need is personal identity.
He needs to know who he is and whose he is. This comes from a stable home life of positive values and a learning environment. You must inject yourself into your children’s lives to help them determine who they are.
- Another need is motivation.
So many young people have no real plan or sense of direction for their life. You must help those goals for their life.
- Another need is instruction.
Instructions should be given clearly in every situation in which the child is to live. It is a frustrating experience for a child to not know what is expected of them.
- Last but not least, every child needs attention.
Some children require more attention than others. We must be willing to devote our time to them if we expect them to develop into what God would have them to be.
Parents, remember you must agree about discipline in the presence of your children. If you disagree with each other, discuss it privately. The parent who corrects must be the one to restore fellowship. Remember, the husband is the final authority in all matters of the family. After correction, you need to evaluate your discipline process. If you have over or under disciplined, you must ask forgiveness from each child.
May God bless you in your home as you raise your children to the glory of God. Please, never forget that children are God’s gift to you. They are His heritage and you will not always have them with you. Make the best of it while you can.
Christ The Answer Prison Ministry 