Be Patient
“Rome wasn’t built in a day.” Have you ever heard that statement? If not, it refers to the fact that the great Roman Empire didn’t become “great” overnight. As you are raising your children to love Jesus, it’s important for you to remember that “kids aren’t raised in a day.” You are a part of a process. The process involves patience on the mother and father’s part. Our task is to be steadfast in our mission of bathing our children in the knowledge of Christ’s grace and mercy (Eph. 6:1-4).
Be Positive
Have you ever had a day with one of your children when they were constantly in trouble? A day when it felt like all that you were able to do was correct them? You’ve been there, right? A day when you felt like you couldn’t say anything positive to them? Remind yourself on those days that God is sovereign. Not only is he at work in your child, but he is also doing work in you. While your child may be too small to be born again and have a relationship with Jesus, that’s not the case with you. God is working on your character just as much as he is using you to help work on your little one’s character. growing in Jesus can be like taking a slow trip up an escalator. be positive and trust that Jesus is conforming you and your little’s to His image. Remember Psalm 145:8. “The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.” Treat your child the way the Lord treats you.
Be proactive
Look for good things in your child’s behavior. When they do something well, celebrate it! Remind yourself how it pleases the Lord when his children are obedient! III John 1:4 says, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” When your child walks in truth (no matter how little), make much of it. You are in the business of soul formation as a parent. Soul formation is hard work that involves teaching your children confession, repentance, and forgiveness through the finished work of Jesus. When they start to be in awe of the love of Christ and drawn by the kindness of the gospel, you will no doubt see behavior change. Until that happens, celebrate the small victories and remember that “Rome wasn’t built in a day.”
All Scripture taken from the ESV translation of the bible
I needed this reminder today
This is gooooood! Needed to read this today.