Keepers of The Home
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Posted: June 11, 2022
Author: Danielle Murphy Proverbs 22:6, King James Version “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” |
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We all know that our children will grow up and go out on their own eventually, yet the reality still takes us by surprise when it finally happens to us. Our children are still pretty young, but I am beginning to see some of them stretch their wings and dream about being out on their own. I must be honest, the thought terrifies me. It seems so hard for me to comprehend letting go of them when all I have ever done was hold on tightly, doing my best to guide and direct them through this rough course we all traverse called life.
May God grant us all the grace we will need for this new transition with our children into their adult years. May we maintain grace and love towards them, while realizing that they may not choose the same things we would for their lives. Surely we will need to trust deeply in God in some moments; that He will pursue them and keep them in His great love, guiding their hearts and minds. I imagine many of us will be on our knees more regularly, praying for them through many situations.
What a vast difference this season will be from the one we used to be in. No longer will they be required to attend family functions or occasions, we will have to have maintained a good relationship with them so that they will want to remain in fellowship with us. If we are in disagreement about the lifestyle that they choose, should we cut all ties? That will have to be decided on a case to case basis and in deep prayer with the Lord. I see all of the time in scripture when the Lord instructs His people to do one thing, and then in another case tells them to do the opposite. Consider in the Old Testament when the Israelites were told to go to war with a certain people. In some cases they were told to take all of the plunder, but in others they were instructed not to take any.
We are told in Romans 2:4 (KJV) “Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?’’
And yet in Ephesians 5:5-11 (ESV) it says, “ For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not become partners with them; for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.”
I thank God that He is with us through every situation and circumstance, giving us discernment for each situation we find ourselves in; our children and our relationship with them is no different. May He guide us all in our relationships with our children!
