The Objective of Parenting

Of our children still residing at home, one is exceptionally hardworking and responsible, but occasionally has mood swings and a sharp tongue. Another loves to volunteer and is quite bubbly, but notoriously doesn’t pay attention to instructions. Another loves to smile, sing, and laugh, but will fight and yell when things don’t go her way. Another is fun-loving and eager to help, but always seems to do that which he knows he shouldn’t. My point, all children possess good and bad qualities (Pr. 20:11). The job of parents is to expand the good and shrink the bad, and thus, make them better people (2 Tim. 1:5; 3:14-15). And this is the true objective of Christianity for both children and parents/guardians. We cannot spiritually better our children while neglecting to spiritually better ourselves (Rom. 12:9-21; Eph. 4:22-32; 5:1-5; Col. 3:5-10; 1 Thess. 5:14-22). Continue growing in the Lord’s will and your children will follow (2 Pet. 1:3; 3:18). “The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him” (Pr. 20:5).