Teach Your Children Well

2 Timothy 1: 3-5 (NLT)

Timothy, I thank God for you—the God I serve with a clear conscience, just as my ancestors did. Night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. I long to see you again, for I remember your tears as we parted. And I will be filled with joy when we are together again.

I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you.

 
Reflection

If you have met my son, Samuel, you know he is a special kid, and I don’t say that with “my kid is perfect” parenting goggles on. There is something in him and about him that still, to this day, perplexes me on how he could be as great of a kid as he is. I could brag and say it was because of me and my tremendous parenting skills, but I know that is not the case. And that doesn’t bother me. He has a love for God and people that I can’t begin to understand and really don’t try to. All I know is that, like Paul talks about in today's passage, I owe everything to his grandparents.

During Samuel's most formative years as a young kid, he lost his mom to complications of cystic fibrosis and was left with a shell of a dad who was trying to just figure out up from down. I was trying to be a good parent, but looking back on it now, it’s a miracle that we’ve made it to where we are. I knew, however, that my kid was something special. The first time I entered my late wife’s and my bedroom after a month of living in the ICU with her, I sat on our bed and just cried. He came into the room and asked me if I was crying because mom was gone. I told him yes, and he proceeded to put his arm around me and said, “Don’t worry, Dad. You take care of me, and I will take care of you.” He was only four.

As I stated earlier, I owe everything to his grandparents. Tom and Diane Bailey were devout Christians who spoke to Samuel about God every chance they got. From morning devotions, Sunday services, and working out on the farm, they continually talked to him about the Bible. They planted a seed in him that has grown over the years and made him the godly man he is becoming. His love of God is evident in everything he says and does.

Paul states in verse 5, "I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you."

The word “genuine” means to be authentic. In this case, Timothy had a genuine faith that was apparent in his interactions with everyone he met. This love for God was established in him by people close to him, namely, his mom and grandma.

We as parents have a massive responsibility when it comes to the upbringing of our kids and their eternity. Everything we say and do influences our kids, so it is vitally important that we make sure we are pouring God into their lives every chance we get.

Samuel was lucky to have godly grandparents. I was lucky too.  

 
Action Step

1. Today’s action step is not going to be easy and is going to require you to put your parenting under a microscope. Take a moment and think about the stuff you daily pour into your child’s life. Is it uplifting to them? Does it pour God’s loving nature into their life?

2. In your journal or on your phone, write down things you realize need to change. Make a list of some ways you can change those situations. Take that list to God and ask Him to give you the wisdom and strength you need to make those changes.

 
Prayer
God, give me the strength to evaluate my parenting. Give me a soft hear to hear the things You want to say to me and give me the wisdom and desire to make necessary changes. Help me love my kids and pour into them the way You want to pour into me. Amen.