Something I read recently stirred up some thoughts in my head, so I decided I would try to put them into some kind of order here on my blog. I am not ashamed to say that we shelter our children. I think as a parent it is my duty to do so, even more so because I am a Christian.
The scripture that comes to my mind first is Proverbs 22:6 "Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it." It's my job as a mom to train my children in the ways of God, not the ways of the world. I am to teach them what the scriptures say and I am to be an example of the scriptures to them. My bible says "Abstain from every form of evil." 1 Thessalonians 5:22. It doesn't say to show them evil and then let them decide if they want to take part, it says to abstain from every form of it. My bible calls witchcraft evil, therefore, my children will not read Harry Potter or watch any of the movies. We will abstain from it. Halloween is a blatant pagan holiday and we abstained from it. Many video games and television shows are completely antibiblical, we abstain from them.
Do we just make up these rules and expect our children to blindly follow them? No, we pray, we read scripture and we follow God's leading. Then we discuss them with our children and explain why we make the choices we make. Do they always agree with us? No. Does that mean we back down and let them choose for themselves? Not on your life. We are responsible for them, God entrusted them to us to train up according to His ways. Proverbs 22:15 tells us that "foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child". Why then would I let them choose for themselves what is good or evil? I won't. Will I always be there to make the decisions for my children? No. Will they sometimes choose the wrong path and go behind my back to do something I do not approve of? Yes. Does that let me off the hook from being the best parent I can be and following God's word to train them up? Of course not. Do you always choose the way God has planned for you? Probably not. Does that mean He gives up trying to show you the right way? No. I am thankful God never gave up on me and has always shown me through His word the right way; even when I didn't do what I knew was right. Shouldn't I be that example to my children?
I will take a stand. I will stand firm in my beliefs and I will not be afraid or ashamed to shelter my children from the evils of this world; until they are strong enough in their beliefs to stand on their own. While we can't shelter them from everything, we can choose not to participate in everything. Some of the things we choose not to participate in are halloween, Harry Potter, watching certain shows, playing certain video games, cell phones unless needed while working, bad influences (limits on who they can befriend) and dating. I'm sure there are other things that I just can't think of now, but these are a few.
Sharing my race of life in faith, fitness, food and family ~ 1 Cor 9:24-27
Totally agree! Way to go! I have been accused of the same things. I am thankful that my two teenagers can actually see the truth and agree with me. Definitely no dating...that is a hard one for some people to understand, but my kids understand so that's what matters!
ReplyDeleteTotally agree. we do not let our children do any of those things either. we also controll what kind of toys are brought into our home. One year for Christmas one child of mine recived a gift that my husband nor I approved of. we kept them outside until trash day then through them away. They were from a family member who knew better. We have had talks with all our family and told them what we allow and what we don't.You can never be too careful. I always review books too before i allow my children to read them.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Rashel. We have been accused of the sheltering our children, too. And I agree with the accusers 100%. :) We are sheltering our children from the evils of this world..protecting them until they are old enough and spiritually mature enough to handle the temptations they will face. Praise the Lord for parents like you who will take a stand!! Sometimes my hubby and I feel alone on this issue. Thanks for this post. :)
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Lisa
I am a great grandmother. When I was a child my parents sheltered their children. I am thankful they did. When we were raising our children we were accused of being too protective and sheltered with our children. At times the children thought so themselves. But as they got older they told us they appreciated the fact that we did keep them from a lot of things. So
ReplyDeletekeep up the good work Rashel. It is what the Lord wants parents to do but not many abide by God's Word.