Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it” Proverbs 22:6
Today I want to talk a little about the importance of the first-born child and the purposeful care that is needed to make sure he or she is trained according to the will of God.
Why is this so important? Children grow according to the influence of those who surround them. So if the parent (s) are noisy and boisterous, the child is most likely to be noisy and almost unbearable. This child will then become the influencer for the other children.
In as much as the parents are the first teachers, the first born will have the greatest influence on the rest of the children. Younger siblings look up to older kids with great reverence and emulate most of what they do-the good, the bad, and everything in between.
I must admit that being a new mom without any family around to guide me-to be honest I don’t know that it would have made a difference because I was stubborn, thinking I had it all together- I did not do the best job preparing my first born to be the role model Christ would have him be…but I am grateful for the things I did do right and I thank God every day for God being his teacher where I failed.
Things I could have done differently:
- Christlike parenting-exercising more patience and love when correcting misbehaviors.
- I should have focused more on teaching him spiritual lessons——respect, reverence, patience, kindness, and self-control. Instead I focused more on academics I do not believe my son missed a day of worship for the first two or three years of his life. I was that consistent but there is a difference between having worship and diligently and prayerfully teaching a child the love and similitude of God.
- Accepting my role as a servant to my children– Because children “cannot discern the hidden dangers or the fearful ending of the path” it is mine-our responsibility as mommies to educate them for the kingdom of God and if we neglect this solemn duty that God has entrusted us with, we run the risk of placing our little ones at the mercy of the evil one.
Disclaimer: by no means do I believe I am a bad mom, quite the contrary. I know I am a great mom, but as I wholeheartedly seek the Lord’s guidance in raising my children I am learning that some of struggles that I have experienced and am still experiencing is because of not following God’s teachings.
I do not believe everything will be perfect going forward, but I hold fast to God’s promise: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” “Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9
2 comments
One thing I learned about motherhood (especially the introduction period thereof) is that whatever you do to show your baby you love him/her is perfect. You may read all the books and speak to more experienced mothers but when Christ speaks to your heart and gives you the instruction to share love with your child you both grow. It is a phenomenal metamorphosis for mother and child.
Thank you for those kinds words of encouragement. You are absolutely correct, we just have to trust God.