If we do not know where we are going, as we all learned from the Cheshire cat, it does not matter which path we take.
However, as children of God, we thankfully do know which way we are going, and we have been given the map of how to get there. We are called to live our lives under two great commands- to Love God and Love other people (Matthew 22:37-40). These commands serve as the roadmap in decision making. As a parent I want to ask, “how do I love God and love other people in my parenting?”
I believe Deuteronomy 6:4-9 has an answer:.
4 “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
This text gives me clear guidelines to follow:
- Love God with all my might
- Write His word on my heart
- Diligently teach His word to my children
- Talk of His word in all the little moments of our day
- Place His word as a constant and visible reference in our lives
In this post, let’s look at number one: love God with all my might.
What does that mean? How do we love God with all our might? I know how weak and fickle my heart is, how do I set it on the Lord?
The kindness of God is evident, especially in His commands. He gives us the grace and power to obey. We must remind ourselves that love, even the ability to love, is a gift from God. 1 John 4:19 “We love because He first loved us.”
Let that humble us into the beautiful reminder that we are His workmanship, created by His perfect hands, for his Glory. God is love. He loved us. He helps us love Him. We love Him, and we can then love others rightly. In all the noise of parenting fads and advice, we want to give ourselves and our children something that will last. We want to give them a map, and a Solid Rock upon which they may build their lives. Only the Lord can be that. Therefore, let our parenting start with Him. Let’s marvel at the love of God, and let that grow our love for Him!
In post two, I will focus on number two: writing His word on our hearts.
