Raising up kids...

There's so many opinions when it comes to how one should raise kids. So many, in fact, that it can be overwhelming if you're not careful. It seems everyone has advice. What worked for some doesn't work for others and then there's the need to take that child's personality or birth order into context. Something that might seem so simple can become so complex so quickly. And yet, the reality is that we have this perfect parenting book known as the Scriptures. It tells us something that I think a lot of the time gets taken out of its context as well. I hear this old phrase a lot... "Train up a child in the way he should go;
even when he is old he will not depart from it." It's actually Prov. 22:6, and it's an excellent verse, but it's a proverb. In other words, it doesn't always come true.

I've heard, and seen lived out, these horror stories of parents raising children who end up being little "hellions." It becomes, then, an even bigger fear for me knowing that my children are PKs (Preacher Kids)... because of the old reputation of PKs, I guess. But, from what I know of those kids, they were taught one thing and the parents lived out another. I've found, and I know I have a long way to go still, but I've found that the best type of parenting is simply by demonstrating life to your kids from day to day. It's not easy. It takes work. It's not something someone else can do, either. Your kids will look up to you like no one else. You have to constantly demonstrate for them a Christ-like attitude, etc. If you don't, they know it. They are constantly watching you and will mimic you when you least expect it!

I was reading Donald Miller's blog yesterday, and I was surprised to see that he was suggesting warning labels on cell phones. But one of the best things I read was when he said... "The truth is, our children’s generation will grow up believing we loved our phones more than we loved them. It will be the battle cry of rebellion, that their parents were too busy checking facebook on their phones to pay any attention to them. I can see an entire movement of kids who don’t want phones because they represent neglect.

I think the worst parenting is the parents that neglect their kids. And yet, I see it all the time. But it's something I have to constantly put in check for myself as well. All it is is simply a love of self. This neglecting, I've realized, is not even necessarily an intentional neglect. It's simply a love of self. It's a love of self, though, that's gotten out of hand. I think that's a reason there's so many PKs who have issues... They were raised watching parents who were constantly living life one way at one place, then another at home, still focused on themselves.

The best answer I have for raising up kids... selflessness. When Jesus was asked, "What is the greatest commandment?" His response was to "Love your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength and love your neighbor as yourself." What Donald Miller said yesterday about cell phones has really stuck with me. I hope maybe this sticks with you. Constantly ask yourself if you are pouring enough time into others. It's our sin nature to pour our time into ourselves. Take time today to spend with your kids. If you don't have kids, spend it with your family or friends, and maybe... just maybe, turn off that cell phone while you do it.

Blessings,
Frankie