Crown of old age is the children of children; and the glory of children are their parents.” Pv 17:6
On festive occasions, we have the habit of greeting each other and neglecting the true values of relationships. Parenthood is not merely a biological matter. Parenthood is something very serious to God, and today is the day to evaluate our roles as biological and spiritual fathers, and the question is: Have we biblically fulfilled our role as fathers?
Parents act as representatives of God, occupying God’s place within the family. Therefore, honoring God implies honoring parents. The worst mistake a father can make is to know the spiritual teachings of God’s Word and fail to pass them on to his children. As the proverb says: “Like father, like children.” It is impossible to raise children in the ways of Christ if the parents are not living by these principles themselves. The gospel is meant to be lived in practice, not just in theory. Parents, it is essential to be filled with the Holy Spirit to participate in the many promises of educating and raising children.
SOME CHARACTERISTICS OF BRILLIANT PARENTS.
Brilliant parents express their love verbally. Mt 3:17 “And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with him, I am well pleased.'” Mt 17:5 “While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with him, I am well pleased. Listen to him!'” God used spoken words to express His thoughts, will, and feelings. God sent His Son Jesus into the world but did not refrain from verbalizing His love for Him. Verbalizing love to someone demonstrates their importance. Parents who express love to their children cultivate affection and break the bonds of loneliness. Just like God broke the paradigm by expressing His love for Jesus, parents should continue to speak of their love even when their children grow into adulthood. Hugging, kissing, and speaking spontaneously with children, regardless of their age, create an atmosphere of security. When a child hears you say you love them, they feel empowered to go further, knowing they have your love.
BRILLIANT PARENTS ARE THE GLORY OF CHILDREN BECAUSE THEY EXPRESS LOVE VERBALLY!
HAVE YOU BEEN EXPRESSING YOUR LOVE TO YOUR CHILD?
Brilliant parents discipline without anger. II Tim 2:25-26 “Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.” Children should be disciplined with loving but firm words for their wrong actions and behavior. Disciplining with anger usually leaves deep scars in the child’s soul. (Illustration: the child being spanked) Contrary to what many people think, discipline is not a negative word. It comes from a Greek word meaning “to train.” Discipline involves the long and diligent task of guiding the child from infancy to adulthood. Discipline is something that comes from God; therefore, it is selfless when applied without anger. The purpose of discipline is to lead the child to repentance and deliver them from the snares of the devil. “A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher.” Lc 6:40b. The teaching that truly makes an impact is not what passes from one mind to another but from one heart to another.
BRILLIANT PARENTS ARE THE GLORY OF CHILDREN BECAUSE THEY DISCIPLINE WITHOUT ANGER.
HOW HAVE YOU BEEN DISCIPLINING YOUR CHILD, WITH OR WITHOUT ANGER?
Brilliant parents extend forgiveness. Psalm 78:38 “Yet he was merciful; he forgave their iniquities and did not destroy them. Time after time, he restrained his anger and did not stir up his full wrath.” Forgiving your children demonstrates unconditional love. Forgiveness is an act of mercy, meaning not applying the punishment they truly deserve. II Samuel 12:13 “Then David said to Nathan, ‘I have sinned against the Lord.’ Nathan replied, ‘The Lord has taken away your sin. You are not going to die.'” Many parents go to their graves with broken relationships with their children because they withhold forgiveness. Brilliant parents do not give up on their children; they forgive. In Luke 15, a son left his father’s house, squandered his inheritance, and realized his mistake. Repentant, he returned home, feeling unworthy of being called his father’s son after disobeying him. However, when he was still far away, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. Brilliant parents have compassion for their children and welcome them back. Brilliant parents may not understand their children’s actions, but they bridge the gaps.
BRILLIANT PARENTS ARE THE GLORY OF CHILDREN BECAUSE THEY EXTEND FORGIVENESS!
ARE YOU BUILDING BRIDGES THROUGH FORGIVENESS?
Brilliant parents are examples. 1 Kings 9:4-5 “As for you, if you walk before me faithfully with integrity of heart and uprightness, as David your father did, and do all I command and observe my decrees and laws, I will establish your royal throne over Israel forever, as I promised David your father when I said, ‘You shall never fail to have a successor on the throne of Israel.'” The three things we owe to our children are: EXAMPLE, EXAMPLE, EXAMPLE. The glory of children lies in their parents. Brilliant parents serve as role models for their children:
In the home
In marital life
In character
In their relationship with God
In integrity
Some examples of brilliant parents who serve as role models:
Brilliant parents cultivate a sense of family identity. They need to provide positive leadership.
Brilliant parents demonstrate continuous love for their spouse.
Brilliant parents need to understand and respect their child’s individual world. We all live in three worlds: the public, the personal, and the private.
Brilliant parents keep their promises.
Brilliant parents need to be the family’s encourager.
Brilliant parents build trusting relationships with their children based on God’s Word, not human wisdom. “A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher.” Lc 6:40b. The teaching that truly makes an impact is not what passes from one mind to another but from one heart to another.
BRILLIANT PARENTS ARE THE GLORY OF CHILDREN BECAUSE THEY SET EXAMPLES!
WHAT KINDS OF EXAMPLES HAVE YOU BEEN SETTING FOR YOUR CHILDREN?
Brilliant parents are the glory of their biological or spiritual children when they express their love verbally, discipline without anger, extend forgiveness, and set positive examples.
By doing so, we will undoubtedly perpetuate a lineage of winners.
