Proverbs 29:17

Correct your son, and he will give you rest; Yes, he will give delight to your soul.

Proverbs 29:17

It’s kind of ironic but it seems for the most part in our society today we tend to raise our kids backwards.  When they are young and cute, we give them all kinds of wiggle room because we don’t want to see them cry (or we don’t want to hear them cry).  We rush to their attention when they demand something from us because, after all, they’re little and don’t know any better.  But then as they grow older and start to become disrespectful and defiant, we put a chokehold on them and then wonder why they rebel.  Suddenly the teen years hit and your home feels like it’s upside down.

In this Proverb, Solomon is giving very simply but direct wisdom. Raising kids is really a process of letting go, as they get older and should be more responsible. If they have it engrained in their heads that mom and dad are serious about their good and godly behavior and will do whatever it takes to mold them in a Christ-like fashion, then when they’re older they will have the tools to make good decisions on their own. So, give your children the correction they need when they’re young and their behavior will give you a calm in your home and you will be able to enjoy those formative teen years together.  

Wanting to raise godly kids,

Pastor Gerard Deleeuw