Writing about children is not within my comfort zone. Scripture tells us, “Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him.” (Psalms 127:3) My wife and I spent over 50 years wondering why we were not worthy of that gift. But as the Holy Spirit prompts me to write this, He also reminds me that I am a 76 year old child of God. “For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children.” (Romans 8:16)
“Then Jesus called for the children and said to the disciples, ‘Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children.’” (Luke 18:16) I can only imagine the loving encouragement Jesus spoke into those little ones. Then I am reminded that He continues to speak loving encouragement into me every day. We never outgrow the needs we had in our formative years for loving discipline, encouragement and moral support.
Well-meaning sociologists have told parents that all forms of discipline harm a child’s self-image. They even promote false praise like participation trophies. That philosophy is certainly not scriptural and is not producing adults with discipline who are encouraged to take responsibility and work toward their goals. I always knew that when my parents disciplined me, it was out of love and not condemnation. I knew that all of their encouragement and praise was honest and genuine. I thank God for that positive foundation upon which I have built my life.
Those of you who have been blessed with the gift of children or even grandchildren have also been given the opportunity to provide them with loving discipline and positive encouragement. Those of you, like me, who have not been blessed with that gift can be a father or mother figure in someone’s life mentoring them in the Christian life. I have reached grandfather figure on my way to great grandfather figure. Whatever our age or situation, I pray that we continue to receive the loving discipline and sincere encouragement of God and pass them on to members of younger generations.