He tells the story of entering a cold, dark hospital room and finding one baby alone in a bassinet. The label taped to the top tells him this is his daughter. The room is empty except for his newborn. Alone. Cold. In the dark.
So, without permission, without telling anyone what he was doing-because honestly, there was no one to tell-he takes his daughter to her mother. He takes his daughter to the one who had just given birth to her. She needs the attention of her mother so he sees to it that she receives the attention needed.
As her father, he has every right and responsibility to provide for her every need.
That is the role of parents. To provide for the needs of their children. Just like God the Father supplies for the needs of His children. Gracious and careful to see what is lacking and provides in the middle of insufficiency.
So, what does this have to do with back-to-school?
Everything!
School supplies, lunches, and backpacks are not the only things your children need to be ready for school. Your children need you to be their coach, teacher, disciplinarian, cheerleader, guide, and the list goes on. They do not need you to placate them. But they need your influence-but only when that influence is shaped by God.
What influence do you have on your children?
Do you sit for hours on your phone scrolling or taking work calls?
Do you allow your children to be influenced by screens or others constantly with little to no influence from you?
Or are you engaged with your children? Leaning in and listening and providing an example of service to God?
Are you opening God’s Word and sharing it with your children?
I will admit, my parenting skills lacked in many areas. Most areas. Looking back I see how I could have done things differently.
By the grace of God, my children are all adults now. They are making their own choices in life. They all understand that their parents were not and are not perfect. But they do understand that it is now their responsibility to seek God for their own lives.
My daughter and her husband are making parenting choices with their children.
My two sons will have to do the same.
My husband’s and my influence will show through in the decisions they make but as adults they have free will to make their own choices.
So how are you influencing your children?
Are you providing the necessary tools for them to live the life God desires for them?
Are you preparing them to leave your household one day to make their own decisions?
Are you pouring into them the love of God so that it is evident in their lives?
Here is your fresh start!
A new school season offers you an opportunity to intentionally partner with God and teachers to guide your children in the right direction. With school supplies in backpacks, make sure those supplies include prayer and God’s Word.
You will be serving your children well!
