Pastor Thoughts for November 12th

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. honor your father and mother so that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land” Ep 6:1-3″

Indeed, the first law of the second table begins with God’s representatives-Honoring Father and Mother. I remember as a child, I always knew that our parents were to be honored and respected. But, in terms of being God’s representatives, that rarely crossed my mind.

And now, being a parent myself, the fourth commandment reminds me that my vocation is not confined to the surface level of what many see parenthood to be. But even greater than the usual responsibilities is the call to be God’s representatives.

After a long day, I get out of the car and make the walk to my front door. But as I’m doing so, I pray that the Lord may guide me as a faithful father to my children. Teaching, and praying for them. Comforting and guiding them by the word of God. And of course, we fall short as parents. Sometimes we are not the best model of faith, yet there is Jesus and His forgiveness, and we start anew.

One of my favorite parts of the day is at night when we read the bible, pray together, and close with the Apostles Creed and Lord’s Prayer. It always reminds me how blessed we are in God’s name, but also, how important it is to teach the children that God’s Word is our strength, our shield and our ultimate refuge. For there, Jesus is.

I always think about the future and I wonder, from time to time, what my then adult children will remember about their childhood. Yes, beyond the vacations, sports, and music recitals, or even the board game playing, the laughs, the joys, the sadness, the challenges, I pray that they will remember how the Word has greatly shaped their lives. Because the Word is everything. And thus, as a parent, the best thing I can do is bring them to the Word. “The grass withers, the flowers fade, and the Word of God endures forever” [Is40:8]

As God’s representatives, there is much to do. But I pray that you may always bring your children to the green pasture of God’s Word. Not only on Sunday, but everyday as we rejoice in who we are as redeemed children of God in Christ Jesus.

+PrJ