Wednesday, September 19, 2012

A Child Left to Himself

Rose Trees

Can you finish this verse?  
 "The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself..."
What happens with the child left to himself?  What happens when Mother spends her time on the computer, on the phone, or absorbed in a novel instead of actively training and instructing her child?  What happens is disaster!
 The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame. ~Proverbs 29:15
Did you get that?  He brings his mother to shame!  And if you've ever neglected your duties as a mother, you know what I mean.  Little children need to especially be watched over, as they need much training in order to learn what is right and wrong, and be encouraged in right manners.  Children are not born with an innate knowledge of how to do what is right.  We must be diligent to train them.  If we are leaving them to themselves while we are too busy involved in other things, whether it be schooling with older children, house-cleaning, or pursuing selfish ambitions, they will bring us to shame.  Since they are children, we cannot teach them what is right one day and then expect them to always do it and pursue godliness.  We have to be around them to correct when their behavior is less than desirable.  Remember that
Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.  ~Proverbs 22:15
 Mothers, if you're not already, you must wake up every day thinking of your work at home as a full time job.  No matter what society or friends or family members insinuate about your role (that it is of little importance because there are no monetary payments involved...), you must believe what the Lord says about you and the work you do at home.  We have probably all heard repeatedly the Titus 2 verses that tell us to be at home, but also don't forget the other Scriptures that explain the detriments of leaving our children to themselves!  This is just more encouragement from the Lord that yes, our job is a high and noble calling, and not one that can be shoved off to other people or neglected altogether.

We also must take care to guard our time against other things that would steal us away from our children.  Yes, there will always be other pursuits that could pull you away from what is most important.  There will always be more things to research on the internet, or more lovely things to read and gain encouragement from.  But during our children's waking hours, we should be most devoted to them and their training and instruction.  Otherwise, they will bring us to shame.

Here are some more verses to remember:
...A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother. ~Proverbs 10:1
 A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him. ~Proverbs 17:25


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2 comments:

  1. Thanks for the post. it's something i needed at the appointed time for my son who is in his teens.
    God bless you and loved ones!

    ReplyDelete

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