Is it possible to get your kid to WANT to obey? I’m on a quest to find out.
Reading this blog has given me many insights:
http://store.notconsumed.com/2014/05/30/teaching-children-to-want-to-obey/
The author, Kim Sorgius, says, “As I continue to watch more and more kids rebelling against rules and parental authority, I notice one big missing link: the why behind obedience. I see it in adults, as well. Let’s take speeding for example. Do we stay under the speed limit out of willful submission? Or do we slam on the breaks when we see the cop car over the horizon? Do we obey the law because it’s right? Or just to stay out of trouble?”
She makes three points:
1. Obedience shows that you believe.
2. Obedience shows love.
3. Obedience is a witness to others.
What kind of person do you want to be? Do you want to be a witness for love or a witness for rebellion? “It’s important to me that they understand that every single choice they make is influential in the life of those around them.” I love how she says: “When we disobey God, parents, and/or authority, we are either influencing a Christian in a negative way or showing a non-Christian that we don’t take God very seriously. Either one isn’t what we are aiming for as God’s children.”
Gosh it’s hard. It’s hard for me as an adult, but how do we teach the HOW? She notes that that is the second step. “Little children do not even have the power to obey. They will always fail. It’s through salvation in Christ that we get the power to obey. (1 peter 1:3)” Yes, we will fail, but instead of getting flustered, we have to ask for the Spirit to work in us to guide us. She has her kids pray prayers like, “God help me to obey when I get mad” or “God help me to listen to your voice when I’m heading down the wrong path.”
Such strong words of advice for bringing up Tatum, and gosh, helping me be a better follower of Christ. I mess up daily, and need to be reminded that I need His help. I can only model this for Tatum as I fail too. It’s in Him that we have success in this life.