What are the important things in life to teach our kids?

I pondered this today, as me and Clint were talking through responsibilities for our children at home.

There are A LOT of things thrown at us as parents, so many things that we can consider with this simple question…

We want to teach them to clean up after themselves, and be tidy, to be organized and neat.

To be respectful and kind to others.

We want to teach them to have fun, and enjoy life; Not being weighed down by the heaviness of it.

We want to teach them to be independent adults, that can stand on their own two feet, grounded, unwavering in the world and purposefully be present in day and the time that God created them for.

To practice basketball or banjo or volleyball so they will be prepared to win the game or know the music.

We want them to study and keep great grades to secure their future in a good education.

We are teaching them to fear not, and be bold as lions and go after the things they want in life, teaching them to love their neighbor, and help a friend in need, teaching them to live selfless lives, fully convinced and dedicated to Jesus.

Me and Clint, just like everyone else, want the best of everything for our children.

We don’t want them to miss out, to lack, to fear, to not know who they are.

We want them to be leaders and lovers of God and His people.

All of these things are important, all of them.

I listen and hear God say that it’s quite simple and easy, really.

‘Teach them my saying and my statutes in your homes, tell them the stories about Me, and who they are with Me as their God. Teach them about my goodness, about my unfailing perfect love. Teach them that they are never alone, and nothing evil shall prosper against them. Teach them about Me, my promises I have made that have never returned void. Teach this, and everything else with follow and fall in line for them. I will carry them, I will prosper them, I will protect them, I will love them, and I will be here to comfort them. I never leave or forsake my children. Teach them that I am their source, their strength and their purpose. That way, when it’s time for you to step aside, they already know the same Good God you do, who will never leave them, forsake them, or fail them.’

---

But Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you: Matthew 6:33

You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down and when you rise: Deuteromy 6:7

Train up a child in the way they should go and when they are old they will not depart from it: proverbs 22:6

I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, or His children begging for bread: Psalm 37:25