In a survey by Careers & Colleges magazine, American teenagers revealed some surprising news about themselves. When asked whom they admire most, more than 7 out of 10 teens chose their parents over TV stars, political leaders, and athletes.
Encouraging as these figures are, they should also challenge all of us who are parents. If we have our kids' attention to that degree, what are we doing with the responsibility?
Psalms 127 and 128 remind us that we need to depend continually on the Lord for help and direction if we want to build a happy home. With that in mind, I would like to suggest five principles we should prayerfully communicate and model before our children--principles that not only help them to admire us but also lead them to honor God.
- Life's main purpose is to trust Christ and live for Him.
- We care enough for them to protect them.
- It's better to please God than to please people.
- What we expect of them, they'll see in us.
- They can't go anywhere and get more love than they get at home, not even from a boyfriend or girlfriend.
Teach your children these principles, and they'll have the best reasons to admire you. — Dave Branon
THINKING IT THROUGH
How do Psalms 127 and 128 describe the value
of children? What phrases emphasize the
importance of a parent's relationship with God?
As the twig is bent, so grows the tree.