“Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him.” Psalms 127:3 (NLT)
When we choose to surrender our God-given assignments, the World will surely step in with ideas that pervert and prevent our achieving the God-assigned impact of our lives.
I have said for years that the subtle erosion of men within America’s society and the subliminal and not so subliminal messaging through advertising that today’s men are not needed, ineffective and just plain dumb, will have effect for generations.
We have lessened the role of the man/father/leader in society. Men have willingly surrendered their role as husband, father, leader, mentor. More and more men approach life with the emotions of a boy and the narcissistic attitude of me first or me only. Yet we wonder why men are broken. Families destroyed. Boys growing in a man’s body never emerging mentally, spiritually or willingly into the role they were created to assume.
“All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children.” Isaiah 54:13 (ESV)
The plague of absentee parents and the vital role of time cannot be cured by larger houses, newer cares, yet another “vacation of a lifetime.” Quality time is a myth. Quantity of time is the hope for change. Men inserting themselves mentally, physically, emotionally and with quantitative time are the only hope for reversing the troubling trends we are seeing in boys to wannabe men.
A boy trained properly understands that their role as a man is to walk alongside their wife. The acknowledge her as his greatest jewel and partner in life. Boys never properly shown by their father need mentor-men to walk into their life and show them that they are only toxic if and when they do not properly acknowledge, support, encourage and love the woman and women in their life.
Just as girls and woman are wonderfully made by the Creator of all things, so too are men. Let’s stop kidding ourselves that we know better and acknowledge that the more we try to undo what God has created, assigned and ordained for both men and women in society, in marriage, in professions and in life, are interdependent and equal in the purpose of raising the next generation of World leaders and Kingdom builders.
“For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition that I made to him. Therefore I have lent him to the Lord. As long as he lives, he is lent to the Lord.” And he worshiped the Lord there.” 1 Samuel 1:27-28
Your time is the greatest gift your children will ever receive from you. Surrender it willingly, without condition. Your son’s or daughter’s psyche and approach to life depends on it.
https://www.foxnews.com/media/portrayal-masculinity-strained-relationships-women-forcing-men-out-workforce-mikhaila-peterson
Beautifully written, as usual. You and Megan are great parents with Christ at the center of your lives. The godly example you set as well as the time you spend with your children will impact them and every life they touch, forever. Thankful for you both.