I was sitting in church on Sunday, watching the youth put on their annual puppet show. My husband nudged me, and as I looked over, I saw where our youngest had grabbed both of his daddy’s hands and was holding them, as he intently watched the show.

It’s still sometimes strange to me when scripture just enters my mind during certain moments. It is something I am slowly getting used to; and it was at this moment, seeing my son clasp his daddy’s hands, that this scripture came to my mind:

Teach children how they should live, and they will remember it all their lives. ~Proverbs 22:6

We finally were back at church as a family of four. My husband had this Sunday off and was able to watch my oldest perform in the puppet show. I still try, on most Sundays, to take the boys to church; but last week my oldest said he didn’t want to go without daddy. He said he liked going to church as an entire family.

 

I realized just how important of a part my husband plays in the spiritual growth of our boy’s and our family. The boy’s look to him for guidance, love, encouragement, and support; and  they receive every bit of that from their father. However, they also look to him to see how he uses his faith in every day living and if he puts God above all things. (I’m not saying I’m exempt from setting this example. I am also instructed by God to lead by example; but there is just a different connection with the same-sex parent.)  Those little men are watching every move, they hear every word spoken, they feel every mood we put off as parents, and they see our choices and who we put first.

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the door frames of your houses and on your gates. ~Deuteronomy 6:5-9

-Are we putting the Lord above all things?  Read the Bible together as a family, study scripture and ask questions. Start making choices that honor God.

Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. They will be a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck. ~Proverbs 1:8-9

-We must teach our children to listen and to respect us, as parents, and those in authority. One of the best ways of doing that is by setting the example.

Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. ~Ephesians 6:4 

-We must show patience, grace, and love to our children. Although they may frustrate us to no end, we also must be quick to listen and slow to anger when teaching our children.

Each night, that my husband is home, he has devotion time with the boy’s and bedtime prayer. He doesn’t know, but sometimes I listen quietly by the door. It is in those moments where I feel God’s love being shown.

We are still a work in progress, but oh how blessed my little men are , to have not only a Heavenly Father watching and guiding them; but also an earthly father, who is doing everything he can to teach them God’s love and way, to live a life honoring Him.

By His grace,

Misty