That phrase, “obey right away”, popped out of my mouth one day in a chapel service last year. It was unplanned, totally God’s idea, and it has stuck ever since.
It has become one of those phrases that you intend for children. And then God comes along and smacks you on the head as if to say, “it’s for you too, dummy!”
What’s up with the whole “practice what you preach” bit, anyway?
Question for discussion: How do you go about encouraging your children to obey God out of love and a desire to have a relationship with him? Sure, there is an aspect of obeying God because he’s God. But don’t we want our kids to desire to please him? Or is a sense of duty enough? Or not? Okay…don’t ignore the first question now.
My mom was the disciplinarian in our home. I was CONVINCED she knew me, loved me and wanted the best for me. My welfare was her biggest concern. Her life and her love proved it. Even if I didn’t like the rules or the consequences, I obeyed because I wanted to please her. I wanted her to be proud of me.
Instead of stressing “be good, be good, be good”, let’s teach kids who God is and what He’s like. When they understand God is loving, kind, forgiving and completely invested in their welfare, they will be more interested in pleasing Him.