Tuesday, June 20 – Proverbs 23:24

The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice, and he who fathers a wise son will be glad in him.

Parenting is a long-term responsibility. For eighteen years we care for, teach, and raise up a person. As many have remarked, “The days are long, but the years are short.” The years fly by, but the routine and difficulty of ordinary days can seem to drag on. Many times, we can get so caught up in the day-to-day that we forget the goal of raising children who know and love Jesus. If we know true righteousness and wisdom can only be found in Jesus, training up our children is more than making sure they follow the rules and know wise teachings; it’s teaching them who Jesus is in good times and bad, when they succeed and when they fail. It means teaching them to run to the Lord for forgiveness and ask Him for help. It is instilling in them the truth of Matthew 6:33, “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided to you.”

Raising up children in this way is not always easy. Sometimes it is easier to just “lay down the law” and share some good advice along the way, but just as with many things in life, faithfulness and diligence pay off in the end. As we raise our children to know who Jesus is, we will also know Him more—and as we raise them in His wisdom, we will gain it for ourselves. As our children prayerfully come to know and love Jesus more, there is mutual rejoicing as parents have walked that path beside them.

• If you are a parent, what are some ways you can keep your goal of raising children in Christ at the forefront of your mind daily? If not, how can you encourage the children in your life toward godliness?
• How did your spiritual upbringing shape who you are today? How can you encourage rejoicing in Jesus in your family or the families you are close with?
• Pray and ask God to help you parent in a way that shows your children who Jesus is.