“Lo, children are the heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward” (Psalms 127:3) could not be more accurate. It is quite a reward to raise children, to see them grow not only physically but spiritually as well. I understand now why Jesus would say that we need to be like children, to have an unwavering trust and faith in our Heavenly Father, and to be in awe of this wonderland we live in.
In an ever changing world, it seems difficult to keep the status quo, so-to-speak, of truth and the freedom to practice our beliefs openly. As well as raise our children to be good stewards of God’s Word and creation.
We are called to walk in the light and to be a light for others in a world that preaches “do as thou wilt.” So how do our children find their way in this world? Our natural instinct as parents is to shield them from darkness and danger and to instill our perceptions of right and wrong in them.
Of course, we are called to raise our children to be obedient and to be disciplined and respectful, but we also have to trust our children to find their way with the tools of the light. After all, we are given childhood to be able to make mistakes, stumble and find our way, explore, and to navigate the balance of good vs. evil. It takes a lifetime to understand and really find our way.
Depending on our circumstances, and surroundings, children can be faced with the world of temptations and predators a lot earlier than we might expect. We can warn our children of strangers, dangers, and bad habits etc., but ultimately we can only equip them with the tools to make the right decisions. Friends, peers, and pop culture can influence them against their better judgment, even though we have raised them to be aware.
Children have to know that it is not perfection we seek in life but humility, repentance, and to keep on fighting the good fight. I tell my children when they are struggling with anger, fighting, or caught in a lie etc., to test the fruits (the good fruits vs. bad fruits) and see who they are serving in that moment. We have the power to choose whom we serve. I teach them to rebuke the enemy with the very words Jesus spoke when he was tempted in the desert: “Be gone Satan, for it is written you shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve” (Luke 4:8).
This has been very effective, and they realize they are equipped through faith to put on the armor of God and battle spiritual warfare. It is my hope that as my children grow to adulthood they will become more confident in who they are, and though the temptations and battles will increase, they will know by instinct how to fight off the bad fruits.
No matter the mistakes they are bound to make, they can never be too ashamed to leave it at the cross, and our Heavenly King is waiting with open arms, full of love and mercy. This is a love that I think we can only fully understand when we become parents, that we would do anything for our children unconditionally.
Limit Technology – Increase Creativity
In children’s younger years, we can be a shield of protection, but they soon grow up, and trouble seems to find them. We have a whole new world of dangers with the age of technology, and it can be difficult to find a happy balance. Children (at least mine anyway) are drawn not so much to TV like my generation was but to video games, YouTube, and social media. They want iPods, phones, iPads, and all the latest gadgets, and it can soon consume them.
I have experimented, and I found that the more my kids play video games, for example, (and mostly just Minecraft because it seems innocent enough), they become increasingly agitated, impatient, rude, and it seems their entire countenance falls. So naturally my instinct is to take it away, and slowly they return to normal.
I love how creative they can be in their Minecraft builds, and I don’t mind allowing them time to watch their favorite YouTuber, but I have to really limit the time and allow the majority of their free time to be outside or to be creative through play, art, crafting, and board/card games. Our world of technology might be convenient, but it is not natural and not for adults either. I have to set the example and not be distracted by these things myself.
I am avid in nature study and observation in our homeschooling, and we are blessed to live in the country and have birds, deer, and moose come right outside our window so I make this a priority in our days. Winter, of course, can be more challenging, but we are Canadians after all and can’t be deterred by the cold. We also add more read aloud time and make it fun with hot chocolate bombs and cuddly blankets. We try to keep the creative juices flowing so that the everyday things don’t become mundane, and being involved in nature and its ways keeps us connected with our Creator.
Childhood is short, and before you know it, they are thrown into the world and have to learn to sink or swim. If we have raised our children with the foundations of Jesus Christ, Who is our cornerstone, they may struggle but they will not be forsaken. As they learn to walk in the light, they will be a beacon to the world.
We can enjoy the memories we make in our families and notice the accomplishments our children make along the way and hope that we have prepared them the best we could for the long road ahead. After all, it is our children that are our greatest achievement, for as much as we put all we have into them to prepare them, all along it is this journey of raising righteous children that is refining us.
Written by Sandy Knudson
I am a homeschooling mother of two children from Alberta. We are currently full time RVers living a minimalist lifestyle. I keep busy with books and hobbies, mainly woodworking and pyrography, which I have been doing for a few years now. I enjoy a faith inspired life and look forward to what new inspirations the Lord has in store.
See all articles on The Canadian Schoolhouse by Sandy.
"Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it" (Proverbs 22:6).