Emma is almost 3. Emma’s mom visited our home several days ago and told a story. She said, “When I’m frustrated or exasperated with Emma, I sort of groan, “Oh! Emma Joy.” The other day I did something that aggravated Emma and she said, “Oh, Momma Joy!” We all laughed, of course. It is funny how kids reflect back to us what they learn from and see in us.
As a minister, I pay attention to the families in our church. The chief measure I use to gauge the spiritual and marital health of a family is their children. Children’s behaviors are products of what they've seen and learned. Kids don’t come pre-programmed for obedience or being 'good'--In fact, it's just the opposite. Their tendency is to be rebellious and selfish. The Bible calls these attitudes, ‘foolishness’. Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child. Wise parents drive it far from them.
Wise children result from the prayerful and vigilant work and training of wise parents. Foolish parents cannot produce wise children; only wise parents can produce wise children. Disagree? How could thorn bushes produce apples? In nature we see the foolishness of thinking any way other, don’t we? Foolish children are the result of foolish parents.
I reviewed some statistics on parenting the other day. Nearly 90% of people in prison had foolish fathers. The rates for suicide, drug abuse, sexual addictions, depression and more were similarly linked to foolish parenting—especially foolish dads. Thorns come from thorn bushes.
Emma is sweet, but she tends, like all children, toward foolishness. Her wise parents are working hard to make her wise like them. In two or three more years their work will be bearing fruit. If they have done well the result will be wisdom, and it will bring her momma joy.
Life's busy, but keep your focus on family. Redouble your efforts to train your children and bring yourself some joy.
All material copyrighted by Stephen Meeks
