There is no doubt about it, times are changing. As a parent, it can be overwhelming to know how to direct our children through the murky waters of strong change. Though life is always changing throughout the generations, what remains to be foundational information and guidance we’re supposed to teach our children to help them navigate life’s challenges into adulthood? Ultimately, any parents job is not only to love, care, and provide for our child. A parent’s job is to prepare each child to face the challenges of adulthood eventually on their own.

            This is something that can be a difficult thing to maneuver for any parent. As the parent, it is our job to protect our children from things that can physically, spiritually, mentally, or emotionally harm them to the best of our ability. At the same time, it is imperative that we each help our children face the advisory in life they will surely encounter by helping to our children resilience, endurance, and perseverance. These are qualities that help any child continue to keep going when life inevitably becomes hard and challenging. Each human will suffer at some point and in some way throughout each of our lifetimes. Suffering to some degree is a certainty in life.

            However, what tools do we equip our children with when they do inevitably endure suffering? Do we fix everything for them to give them an easy childhood? Do we help them process negative situations they encounter to find the appropriate response to a difficult situation? Do we point back to Jesus, by going to the Bible to give specific examples of endurance and faithfulness to endure through challenges?

No parent is perfect. Over time, our children learn about and see our flaws. Nor will any parent be there forever to take care of our children as each one of us is human and will eventually pass on. What teachings, whether moral, spiritual, or educational lessons we provide for our children through life, will be the tools our boys have left to navigate life as independent adults when my husband and I will no longer be there.

            This is something I personally contemplate a lot while raising my boys. Am I providing them with enough tools, education, and moral/spiritual guidance to help develop my boys growing into their eventual manhood? Am I stepping back as they become more independent and let them make choices with the tools their father and I have supplied them through their childhood to make their own personal choices?

            With all of the passing parent trends that have come and gone; the one consistent way to raise a child is still found in the Holy Bible. Proverbs is a wonderful book for all parents in any stage of life with children. It is why I am constantly going back to Proverbs when I need guidance with raising my own children. Proverbs and the Holy Bible is something my husband and I are passing down to our children. In all of the difficulties of life, Proverbs and God’s Word will be there for our children for the time when we will physically no longer be here. Teaching God’s Word is a gift to every child to give them instruction on how to live in an every shifting world, because God’s Word does not change because God does not change. Jesus Christ is the only firm foundation in this world.

The Holy Bible is the one true map of life. Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life. No one can go to God the Father except through Jesus Christ. The message of the cross, of Jesus Christ is offensive and has always been a stumbling block throughout the generations. This is nothing new, nothing abnormal for Christians and to be expected. Nevertheless, Jesus Christ is the only way to God the Father and eternal life. This is why I continue to repeat these truths.

Someday, I will be gone. All that will remain is what lessons I shared and taught my children and others about who Jesus Christ was and is. This is very heavy, because ultimately, anything that does not give glory and honor to Jesus Christ to advance His kingdom burns up. I will be held accountable for how I taught my children, how I loved my children, how I guided my child. Each parent is, because each child is a gift given by God.

            What may look like a broken record of repeating eternal truth to others is actually the mandate left to every Christian. Sharing the gospel to all the generations. To encourage fellow believers our walk with the LORD. The gift God gave me specifically is a deep love for teaching and sharing the Gospel with children. Like I have said, though I love writing children’s books, the creative process and the friendships I have developed along the journey; sharing the Gospel to the coming generation is my priority. Sharing these truths with parents to help encourage, refocus, and continue forward is how I serve my Lord Jesus Christ. Everything else inevitably fades away; except Jesus Christ. This is an eternal truth I am passing down to my children and for future generations.