Presenting ...
... a weekly letter of encouragement.
Singapore
April 3, 1996
Good Morning!
Last night I was in the lovely home of a business executive and
his wife. The furniture was tastefully appointed, expensive cars
filled the driveway, maids scurried about. Impressive and enviable.
This attractive couple routinely host Bible studies, conduct all
night prayer vigils, go on mission trips, and consistently lead
people to Christ. They are generous with their resources beyond
measure. Their commitment to Christ and His cause is without
question.
These folks have it together, wouldn't you say? Sadly, the answer is "No". How is this possible?
The answer lies in the fact that they are failing in the most
basic area of their lives: Their children.
In the home confusion reigns. The children are angry, flustered...disrespectful.
There is constant jostling for control between parents and children.
The decibel level is deafening.
Guests find it difficult to carry on conversation without being
interrupted. Rather than a place of refuge, the home is a center
for chaos and discord.
Involvement in God's work does not absolve us of parental responsibility
as Eli, the priest discovered:
"For I told him that I would judge
his family forever because of the sin he knew about; his sons
made themselves contemptible, and he failed to restrain them.
Therefore, I swore to the house of Eli, 'The guilt of Eli's house
will never be atoned for by sacrifice or offering. " (1 Samuel
3:13-14)
Missionary stateswoman Helen Morken has sagaciously observed,
"Many Christians have forsaken their children for the
mission, living to see their children undo their mission, realizing
to late that "their children were the mission."
Paul reminds us that an elder "must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his
children under control with all dignity (but if a man does not know how to manage his
household how will he take care of the church of
God?)" (I Timothy 3:4, 5)
The term "manage well" presents the idea of order,
discipline, planning, superintending; of giving direction. Literally
of "presiding with beauty or excellence."
The Christian husband and father is to lead his family with
dignity. That is, he is to guide them with reverence,
respect, gravity and sanctity. It is one thing to control one's
family with harshness and cold directives, and
quite another to lead with firm compassion.
IT HAS BEEN OUR OBSERVATION THAT CHRONIC BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS ARE
USUALLY AN INDICATION OF A FAILURE IN PARENTING
--GENERALLY CENTERING ON THE FATHER'S FAILURE TO LEAD HIS FAMILY
IN A BIBLICAL MANNER.
May God help us to not miss it here!
I trust you are having a great week!
Dwight Hill
© Copyright 1996 Dwight Hill. Unlimited permission to copy or use is hereby granted subject to inclusion of this copyright notice.
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