No Greater Joy

 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. (Ephesians 6:4)

There are many days where I struggle as a new(ish) dad. As we watch the news and see corruption and death everywhere we look, there's that longing to shield and protect. Worse, as I see false teachings everywhere I look, how do I ensure that my children do not get led astray? After all, war and disease may kill my children physically, but false teachings will kill my children eternally. This sobering thought often brings me to the throne of God in tears and prayer that God would intervene. 

But He has...

...God's redemptive work begins through me as their dad. 

Ephesians 6:4 reminds fathers to raise our kids in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. This means that the primary person to teach them the Gospel is... me. Not their pastor, Sunday School teacher, or even Children's Ministry. 

This week, Theo sat in the chair where I record most of my sermons. I snapped this picture and began to pray for him. I hope one day he will sit in a place of church leadership. His generation needs biblical preachers and teachers. My dream for him isn't necessarily to become a pastor unless God has appointed that for his life. My dream is for my son to "sit" under biblical teachings and then to teach that to others (whatever the context may be). 

Tonight, Mischa asked to hold my commentary on 1st Timothy as she fell asleep. I realized it's because she's seen it on my nightstand. Other times, she's seen it next to me because I fell asleep studying. My prayer is that she loves the Word of God. May it not just be tucked under her arms tonight, but may it be forever etched on her heart.

Although John wrote this to a church, I sympathize with him when he says, 

"I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth." 

(3 John 1:4)