Are you a “know-it-all” parent? Have you ever been humbled by your kid(s)? If you have never been humbled by your children, then you are an arrogant parent. Did I step on some toes? I hope so. Far to often we as parents attach our self-worth to our children. We push them to do the things that make us look good and overlook their developmental stages. There is something special about being a parent, which should strike a cord in us.

Jesus tells us that unless we come to him as a child then, we have not come to him at all (Matthew 18:1-6). Can you imagine what the parents had to be thinking? “Really? Them, Jesus”? They had to be thinking that they had it more together than a child. This verse should make us stop and wonder about our relationship with Jesus and our relationship to our children.

One of the special gifts that children often posses is their ability to ask for help. My children have no problem asking the “why” questions, or the questions that many of us take for granted. I am often humbled by the questions my children ask. Far to often I don’t even stop to think, “Why did they ask that?, or consider the driving force behind their question. Many times parents like to think they have it all together. Show me a parent that does not ask other parents for help or advice and I will show you a parent trying to play “superman” or one who thinks they are too good for wise counsel.

You might think that this is a little harsh.  I’ve seen in myself too many times that arrogance keeps me from seeking godly counsel from those who have gone before me. All throughout Scripture we see parents passing on key information on how to raise children. From where did they learn this key information? They were taught by their parents, and then they passed it on to their children and future generations. Only the arrogant person refuses to listen to those who have gone before them (Proverbs 4:7). I understand that there are some very bad parents in this world, but let that not be our excuse for not seeking godly counsel on how to raise our children.  I have been more humbled and died to self more through my short journey in parenthood than any other event(s) in my life. Allow me to encourage you to take a few steps as a parent that will benefit your children, as well as you as a parent.

1. Find a wise godly parent who has gone before you, humble yourself, and meet with them monthly, asking them questions on the different stages of your child. (Hint: Most people don’t listen to parenting advice from someone who acts like they have it all together)

2. As a family, set goals and priorities about which godly characteristic you want to instill within your child. Be simplistic.

3. Pray with your spouse for your children. Highlight those certain areas you have targeted as priority.

4. HAVE FUN with your child. There is so much pressure on children these days to grow up and become something. Allow them to see your joy in the Lord and not the hammer of approval all the time. They are, after all, children, and life is a process. Heck, many of us adults still act like spoiled children. Let them have that child-like faith in Jesus. Don’t quench it.

One of my hopes and dreams as a parent is to see my children fall in love with Jesus. Sabrena and I have never been overbearing with our children telling them they have to accept Jesus into their hearts or they will be in hell, be separated from us, or any other harsh thing parents may say to “get” their children to accept Jesus. Instead, we have just tried to model His love, not always perfect, and pass on that passion we have for Him. Jeremiah has been asking us a lot of questions about Jesus over the last 7 months. He has always said that he was not ready to ask Jesus into his heart. I wanted him to know that our love for him is not dependent upon whether he accepts Jesus or not.

The other night I was over at a good friend’s house. I received a phone call from Sabrena. Jeremiah had come out of his room and said he was ready to ask Jesus into his heart. Sabrena was blown away since this was so unexpected. I asked her what she said to him. She asked him why. He recalled all the important events and even got teary eyed when describing the cross, but joyful when describing the resurrection.  There was one catch. Jeremiah told her that he wanted to wait until daddy got home. So I hung up the phone and booked it home. What does a parent say to make sure their child understands? How does the parent know when the timing and heart of a child is right?

When I arrived home I got another brief account from Sabrena and then headed to his room. He still wanted to ask Jesus into his heart, so we walked out to the kitchen table. Sabrena, Gracie Beth, Jeremiah, Mojo (our mastiff), and myself were there ready to listen. I opened the Bible to John 3:16. The key to really knowing if a child is ready is to ask a lot of open-ended questions and to have the child explain it. I read him John 3:16 and ask him what each line meant. With great surprise and joy he was able to explain the verse (talked about sin and after the resurrection, he even went on to tell me there would be a new heaven and earth, lol). I sat there overwhelmed with joy and shocked that he could understand it so clearly as a child. I looked at Sabrena, who had tears streaming down her face, and said, “I think he is ready.”

Turning back to him I asked if He really wanted to ask Jesus into his heart. It was his choice. He said yes with this huge smile. He then crawled up on my lap and prayed, asking Jesus into his heart. When he said amen he gave me a joyful hug and then hugged Sabrena. He was so excited! I understand that his faith will continue to grow from concrete to abstract over time, but the innocence of coming to Jesus as a child was overwhelming. Oh, to have that heart and faith each day I am alive!

Our son did something wonderful the very next day. With great joy he walked up to the first kid he saw at school and told them he asked Jesus into his heart. The boy promptly stared at him and said he was weird…the journey begins.

Brad