Blue Eyes and Crooked Smiles

Ephesians 6:1 “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.”

Our daughter, Charis, is a pleaser. From the time she was a tiny baby, she wanted to obey. Mark and I only have to say a stern, “No!” to her, and she will stop immediately. Then, we can be pretty certain she will not do that particular thing again, unless she simply forgets. Though not perfect, she is an obedient child.

Our son, Foster, likes to push the line. Like his sister, he is charming and delightful. But he likes to use every ounce of his charm to get what he wants. We can tell him not to do something, and there is a chance he will do it anyway, if he thinks he can get away with it. Now, don’t get me wrong. He is a good boy, and he wants to obey. He just has a very strong will.

He really knows how to use those big blue eyes and that crooked smile on his dear mother, too. I can catch him in blatant disobedience, and still, it breaks my heart to punish him. But I know I must punish  disobedience, no matter how charming either one of my children may seem. I am training them, now, for obedience to their Heavenly Father, later in life.

God, in His wisdom, instructs children to obey their parents, for He knows that disobedient, rebellious children grow up to be disobedient, rebellious adults. Children who do not obey their parents will not obey their teachers. They will eventually believe they are above any kind of authority. They will have problems throughout their lives, submitting to employers, even submitting to the law. And they certainly won’t want to obey God.

When we allow our children to get away with disobedience, we aren’t doing them any favors. We may feel we are being gentle and compassionate, but we aren’t. When we allow our children to disobey, we are setting them up for a lifetime of troubles. This command is given to children. But it is up to us, as loving parents, to make sure that they obey. When we fail to demand obedience, we send the message that obedience is optional. Then, they will grow up thinking that obedience to God’s laws are optional, as well. The person who learns to obey, as a child, will have a much easier time obeying God as an adult.

So, dear readers, I ask you to pray for me to remain strong against big blue eyes and crooked smiles. I love both of my children with all my heart, and more than anything, I want to see them walk with God for all of their days.

Dear Father, Thank You for teaching me the importance of obedience. Please help me to lovingly, gently demand obedience from the children in my life. And please help me to obey You in all things.

Amen