Diapers, Da Bible and Daddy

In all of Scripture, emphasis is given to the family. Within the family, leadership is given to both husband and wife with final vote casting authority given to the dad. It is in the family unit that the truths of God's Word are to be taught and observed by children and by those who are not immediate family members. It is one thing to teach your child to share, it is another thing for your child to see you share. It is one thing to teach your child to give, it is another thing for your child to see you give. Likewise, it is one thing to profess through marriage and word and deed that you love your wife, it is another for the people around you to witness your love for you wife. What I'm saying is this: It is one thing to say something, it is quite another to put into practice that which you say. In other words, One should practice what he preaches.

The Bible teaches us that Children are a BLESSING from God. Most people read that and immediately think of that cute cuddly little joy-bundle. I have four boys and what I think is diapers, diapers, diapers, diapers, diapers, etc... I didn't realize, until recently, what the blessing of children really is. Jesus taught us that a disciple must be willing to deny himself everyday and take up his cross everyday and follow him everyday. There is a continuing nature to what a disciple does and it continues everyday. Children are an everyday responsibility. Everyday they have to be feed. Everyday they have to be nurtured. Everyday they have to be taught. Everyday they have to be corrected. Everyday they have needs that must be met. And, everyday, every single day, you have to meet those needs. If you're sleepy and want to go to bed, their needs have to be met. If you're hungry, their needs have to be met. If you want to watch the game, their needs have to be met. What I'm saying to you is this: Regardless of what you want, they have to come first.

This is the blessing of children. They teach you to deny the self on an everyday basis. They teach us to place others before ourselves. They teach us what Jesus longed to teach his disciples - self denial. Dad, this concept extends beyond our relationship with our children to the relationship we have with our wives. We are to deny ourselves for their benefit and to meet their needs. By investing in our relationship with our wive, God teaches us, again, in profound ways the benefit of self-denial. I would encourage you to consider the cost of leadership in your home. Either you lead well by example and reap the benefit of it or you lead poorly and reap the consequence of it. Either way there is a cost. Will you pay on the front end by taking the initiative to deny yourself or will you pay on the back end by reaping the consequences of your selfish lifestyle?