Parents as Teachers for Children
“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven” (KJV) Ecclesiastes 3:1
My daughter will be five years in August but there has never been a time she has not asked if every day was August. She just cannot wait especially when she sees others celebrating theirs each day.
On other days this is the conversation “Mama when will I be hundred”? Every time she seems impatient to wait for August or asks when she will be 42 years, 52 years, 100 years! At first, I used to laugh heartily at these questions and tell her not yet. The questions about age seemed never-ending! So one day, I looked her in the eyes and kindly told her there is time for everything and that her birthday will surely be here. Then I asked her to count the numbers from 1-50. She starts counting readily 1, 2, 3……50. I ask her what number comes after 1, she says 2, I tell her she is wrong! from 1 she goes to 50. She gets shocked and said I am lying, it is not true because her teacher didn’t teach her that. I admit and say, “ yes Mama is wrong …. From 1, there is 2”. So, she is 4 now and will be 5, not 100.
God has made everything in an orderly manner and that’s why the bible says there is time for everything. We as parents should never cease to be patient teachers as well as people who uphold the trust of every child. We are entrusted to introduce these children to God as early as possible and trust me, it will be a good legacy we can leave every child: - ours or not, it doesn’t matter. God makes them understand more than we can imagine.
2 Timothy1:5 says, “I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.” This bible scripture summarizes the theme for this devotional and I hope as parents we will never cease to be a great source of faith and inspiration for these children and for every child God brings us in contact with.