Because He said so
As a parent, I’ve got my work cut out for me. God has given me these children as gifts (see Psalm 127:3). He’s called Laura and I to prepare them and train them up in the way they should go (Proverbs 22:6).
He says so in Deuteronomy 6:5-8 “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 doorframes of your houses and on your gates.”
He says so in Ephesians 6:4 “Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.”
These commands mean when I am shepherding my child’s heart, I am assured I am actually following orders. When applying correction and discipline, I have to remember He’s the one who gave the order: “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ‘Honor your father and mother’ – which is the first commandment with a promise – ‘that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.’” (Ephesians 6:1-3)
I can talk this concept through with my children, even when the dialog goes like this:
“Why?”
“Because I said so.”
“Why?”
“Because He said so… so it will go well with you and you will enjoy long life on the earth.”
It may seem strange to constrain an 18-month old to obey our commands, but she needs our direction and protection. A three-year-old needs to learn how to trust the wisdom of his parents and not trust his own ideas. When a nine-year-old has learned how to submit to the patient and loving instruction of her parents, she will have learned to live under God-ordained authority.
I’m the “subcontractor” and the Lord is the general contractor. Together we’re building a foundation for a godly life. Take a look at the finished product of our efforts in Titus 2. These are the things we are teaching our children.
Blessings.
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