While waiting to board a flight recently, I had the unfortunate experience of witnessing firsthand some lousy parenting. One mom of a 10-year-old boy told him to do something. He ignored her. So she begged him to do it. He smarted off at her. She pleaded one more time. He shouted, “No!” She sulked, “Ok, I’ll just do it myself.” Not 10 minutes later, a father had a similar exchange with a 7-year-old son. That son ran away full speed down the concourse.
Parents, God gave you the job of being THE parent (Deut. 6:4-9; Eph. 6:1-4). It’s not an easy job, but it’s the ticket that you bought. You need to make the rules, enforce the rules and enact consequences when the rules are violated. Your kids may not be on board with that, but your responsibility is to fly them toward heaven and do your best to arrive there together (Psa. 127:3-5).
For the rest of us, is it possible that we might look like those airport boys in the eyes of our Father in heaven, not following His flight plan? Do we “obey” our Father? “This is right” (Eph. 6:1)!