Raising Successful Children

When titling this devotion, I thought, “I would buy a book with this title”! Then, I quickly thought of all the well-intended informational books that have been written, but still seem to have produce children that continue to make poor decisions.  Despite the valiant effort of numerous authors, our world is still full of young people who don’t reach their full potential and settle for less than what God desires for them. My children are young (nine and seven) but no matter how old your children are, you still have the ability to influence their success.

Every year, I read through the entire Bible.  I have to tell you, it is one of the most exciting things I have done in my journey with the Lord.  In my daily reading, I stumbled across today’s key verse.  I will have to admit that I read through it with familiarity until I got to verse 2:

“Their children will be successful everywhere; an entire generation of godly people will be blessed.”

Did you catch that?  I had to read and reread that verse several times.  As I pondered over it, I realized the truth in the message: the success or lack of success in the life of my children rests on me – generation to generation.  The future of the children God has entrusted to me and the children they will bring into this world (my grandchildren) is affected by my willingness to obey the Lord’s commands and to reverently fear Him.  The reality of this truth makes me more eager than ever to obey the Lord, not just obey but delightfully obey Him.

I haven’t read too many books about raising kids. I don’t know about the reputation and integrity of the authors who wrote them.  I can boast with great confidence in the Author of the book that taught me today’s truth. His reputation is impeccable and His record is unblemished. His advice on childrearing is trustworthy and, when followed, will produce the results promised.

I don’t know about you, but I am not willing to risk the success of my children and grandchildren on my own plans and ideas for their future. My plan is put today’s key verse into practice, sit back and watch what happens.

Following the words of the Author not only blesses your children and the future generation but pleases your Heavenly Father and gives Him the desire to bless you for your obedience and reverence to Him. A two-fold blessing, you can’t get any better than that!