As parents, are we leaving a legacy that our children can follow?

I have been blessed to have lived long enough to see my own daughter’s upbringing being duplicated by her daughter and son-in-law.  They are now the parents of one son and four daughters.  They will be the third generation to be raised under the guidelines of Proverbs 22:6.  They all love and respect each other, the elderly and all other authority over them.  For example:  If they see an elderly person using a walker for support nearing a restaurant entrance, they run ahead to open the door to make it less cumbersome for a handicapped person to enter.  They have also been known on a rainy Sunday to appear by any car door, holding a large beach umbrella. They are ready and willing to escort anyone into the church building while keeping them dry.  Helping in the church nursery is also on their agenda. At home, there is a plaque hanging in their kitchen that says:

SEE A NEED!  TAKE RESPONSIBILITY!  MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

And they are making a difference, not only by blessing people, but also in the animal world.  If a lost kitten or puppy happens to end up using the conveniently empty pet bed in the corner of the landing by the front door, they will be escorted home, if they are wearing a tag.  If not, they will be taken to an animal rescue shelter while waiting for a new home.

Most of the time, the TV Newscasters focus on the bad behavior of young people.  For example: “Spring Break in Florida”. We need to also focus on, and let others know, there are still young people being raised in a Godly way, such as putting others before themselves.

Our children should also be encouraged to bring their friends to our home. We need to be aware of the kind of friendships they are seeking.  From the time our children can talk, they need to know we are hearing them.  That can be accomplished by never being too busy to put aside our “busyness” and Stop! Look! and Listen! This opens up a line of close communication. When you look them in the eye, they know they have your full attention.  This is just as important as the warning signs at a crossroad.  They actually are at  the  crossroad of where they are as children now and where they will be as future parents.

I pray that all parents take seriously the standards God has set for us.  He is trusting us with the most vulnerable of His creations.

Matthew 19:13,14 – “Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them.  But, Jesus said “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them, for of such is the kingdom of heaven”.

Before your children are old enough to be influenced by the internet and all of the electronic toys their friends have, introduce them to God’s Word.  The answers to all of our problems and guidance on how to live a Godly life can be found in the Bible.  As popular as cell phones and Facebook friends are, they can’t compare to the blessing of knowing God’s Word.

Pray your children come to know Jesus as soon as they are able to fully understand that He died to save their souls!

Thank you for reading this,

Great Granny Witt

The Roles and Responsibilities of Fathers and Husbands as Leaders of their Families

This year, Sunday, June 21 has been set aside to honor all Fathers.  As with Mothers, this should not be a one day affair.  No group of people functions properly unless there is a competent person in charge to make the major decisions that are compatible for the family to exist together in harmony.

In the Bible, God has set up high standards for the men who would be leaders in His Church.  These same high standards apply to the leaders of our families.

Titus 1:5-9 – “For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you. If a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination.  For a bishop (or overseer) must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick tempered, not given to wine not violent, not greedy for money, but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled, holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict.

1 Timothy 3:1-13 – “This is a faithful saying:  If a man desires the position of a bishop (or overseer) he desires a good work.  A bishop must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach; not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous; one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence.  (for is a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?); not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same  condemnation as the devil. Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.  Likewise deacons must be reverent, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy for money, holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience.  But let these also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons, being found blameless.  Likewise their wives must be reverent, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things.  Let deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.  For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a good standing and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

Being a leader of a family is not a macho nor an aggressive role, as in “Do as I say, I am the boss”.  It is a role requiring loving those under your leadership as God loves you.  He has our best interests at heart and we should follow His guidance as we guide those for whom He has given us responsibility.

Thank you for reading this.
Granny Witt