GIVE THEM WINGS

     Children are a gift from the Lord (Psalm 127:3).  Children are gifts bestowed upon us from God as a reward and God charges parents with the awesome responsibility of raising or as some would say in generations past, rearing our children in such a way that they would become disciples of him and that they would be equipped to successfully function and operate in society in every area of their lives.  However, parenting can seem a daunting task for some in this 21st century, post modern world with all of the distractions pulling at our children and vying for their attention.  Many parents are working hard trying to earn a living that will provide for their family and when they come home they are tired and weary of the day's challenges and troubles.  These challenges and troubles can weigh a parent down to the point where they don't have the energy or fortitude to sit with their children to find out about their day and instruct them in the way that they should go.

            In Deuteronomy 6 Moses instructed the people (adults) on how they were to live according to the commands and ways of God and that they were to instruct their children and grandchildren to do the same and by doing so they would live successful lives in the land that the Lord was positioning them to inherit.  Moses instructed the people that they were to instruct their children in the ways of the Lord every chance they got (upon waking, when lying down, when sitting at home and when walking about throughout the day on their way to and fro).  It was to be a constant, habitual process of teaching, discipling, mentoring, equipping, and encouraging of their children.  While this occurred in the Old Testament, the same is just as true and important today.  If our children are going to be successful (according to God's definition of success) and if they are going to be positive, godly influences in society, we are going to have to indoctrinate our children in the ways of God.  It's either that or continue to let the world indoctrinate them with the wicked principles of this world system.  

           The word of God addresses every area of our lies and speaks to everything that we need to know in how to get through this life in a victorious manner in harmony with God.  We must instruct our children in how to handle their finances (how to be faithful stewards or managers over the money that God allows them to earn and receive).  We must teach them how to justly interact with others in society, whether in school, on the street while going to and fro, in the marketplace, at work, and in various business arenas.  We must teach them how to have compassion on their fellow man and that they are to love their neighbors as they love themselves recognizing that their neighbors are those whose paths they cross and not just those who live next door to them.  We must teach them to take responsibility serious by being committed to that which they agreed to do and not to give up on it because the thrill of the newness of the idea is gone.  We must instruct them in how to approach courtship and marriage and family planning.  We must provoke them to consider their future in a multidimensional way that looks at the big picture and steer them away from tunnel vision of simply self pleasing motives.  We must teach them that ministry is to be taken seriously and provoke them to seek God for their place in it.  

          By doing this we give them wings.  Children are not given to us so that we can hold onto them.  We don't raise boys to be boys, but men.  Likewise we don't raise girls to be girls, but women.  There comes a time when they must leave the nest and make their own way in the world building their own lives, but we must give them the wings to fly.  When birds have babies (chicks or baby birds), they nurture them for a season in the confines of the nest, but there comes a time when each baby bird must fly.  The momma bird, if you will, feeds and nurtures the baby birds to a level of independence at which time it provokes the baby bird to take flight. By nurturing the baby bird for a season the momma bird is strengthening and equipping the bird to survive independent from her constant care and supervision. In order to have a successful flight birds have to know how to control their speed, how to land properly feet first, and must have the right body mass (weight).  Some birds will cut back on the amount they eat as they prepare to take their first flight. The point is there are preparations made before birds take their first flight, much of which is instinctive.  Unlike animals, humans have a will and are not just creatures of instinct.  We have a will to choose to do right or wrong, to be productive/fruitful or barren or unfruitful, to be successful or a failure, to be positive or negative, to be good or be bad.

          Parenting is work, a 24/7 job, but it is the most important job you will ever have.  While you are giving your children toys, gadgets, money, and other material pleasantries, give them wings by equipping them at every stage of their lives so that they can not only survive in this world, but walk and live victoriously & face and meet every challenge that comes their way.  Their lives depend on it.

            - Dr. DeShonda Bailey

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