I had read the book “What to Expect When You’re Expecting” multiple times, yet it fell short. I had also thoroughly digested the companion journal “What to Expect the First Year” and I still felt like I had little or no preparation as I found myself in a stare-down with my toddler. The battle lines had been drawn… and the prize was control of the sippy cup!
That Malachi 4:6 stuff was good – turning the hearts of the fathers to the children and the hearts of the children to the fathers – but it was still a mystery. How could I turn my heart toward my child and how would I capture her heart and keep it turned toward me? Do you ever get the feeling (I did) that you’re “winging it”? What are we up against? Like the commercial; “life comes at you fast” and sometimes we barely have time to make things up as we go along. The good news is we can be prepared – no matter what season we are in.
God’s Word says in Proverbs 22:6, “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Training our children is our calling as parents.
In 2 Timothy 3, Paul writes, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” Therefore, Scripture gives us the answers we need as we shepherd our children.
“Shepherding a Child’s Heart” is one of several real useful books we use as parents. It’s good, solid information, but you can read it and still walk away without the complete picture. Looking to Scripture, along with the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and with each other’s encouragement, we don’t have to wing it. We do actually learn more each time we re-read “Shepherding” and ask the Lord for wisdom to train our kids and maintain their heart. We’ll incorporate additional materials beyond just this one book and we go forward and practice shepherding over the next couple of months – applying the principles of the Word at a “heart” level, not just a “behavior” level.
Ecclesiastes says “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!” Being in life groups together is a good time of encouragement and prayer for each other as parents. We enjoyed the time before getting to know each family in our previous groups and we’re anticipating good times as we build closer relationships with the families joining with us in this new group – beginning Wednesday evenings in March at the church. See you there!
Blessings,
Pastor Brian