Kid, Parent, Grandkid

            Proverbs has a lot to say to both parents and children about the most essential human relationship you have in your life.  Because there was so much, I was forced to cut quite a bit from today’s sermon.  Probably the most painful cut I had to make was Proverbs 17:6.

Proverbs 17:6 Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, andthe glory of children is their fathers. (ESV)

            I’m not agrandpa, and the one I had growing up did not live long enough to make much ofan impact on me.  But I see the way mychildren light up my parents’ life and how proud my mom and dad are of mykids.  My grandchildren are like a crownupon my mom and dad’s head.

            One of my Bibleprofessors used to say, “You don’t know if you’ve parented correctly until you seehow your kids parent their kids.  If yourgrandkids are walking with the Lord, you’ve done something right.”

            The first half ofthis verse comes from the perspective of the grandparent.  The second half of the first comes from theperspective of the child.  We might’veexpected it to read, “The glory of father’s is their children.”  But that’s not what the verse says.  It says, “The glory of children is theirfathers.”

            It’s a way ofsaying, “Your kid idolized you.”  Yourkid adores you.  They look up toyou.  They watch what you’re doing andthey want to do it too.

            Boy, that’s a bigresponsibility, isn’t it?!  You can’ttell your kid one thing and then do another thing and expect them not to imitate you.  Children are wired to glory in their parents. They want to be just like you.

            Your kids don’tlisten to what you say and do it.

            Your kids look at what you do and do it.

            You can tell themthat church is important, but unless you’re here and you’re active andinvolved, they won’t believe you.

            You can tell themto love their future spouse and be faithful. But unless you treat your wife with honor and dignity, unless you speakto your husband with respect and grace, chances are your kids take those habitsinto their marriage too.

            Children can be acrown to grandma and grandpa.  But thatstarts with mom and dad raising them right. The best way to raise them right is to model for them Jesus Christ.  Set an example, that they may follow in yourfootsteps.