Godly
parents are truly a blessing from God.
The example my parents set for me as I grew up in their home is of
infinite worth to me and my sister. The
humility, meekness and grace they exhibited every day, coupled with a firm
resolve to stand for the right in all things, left an indelible example for
me. The home I grew up in was one where
service for others was not preached, it was lived. The unconverted heart does not like unselfishness,
so I did not like many of the things they did.
Until my own conversion I resented their constant living to do others
good. But that did not stop them from
doing God's will.
My parents constantly presented a
united front. They were truly one
together in Christ. My Dad has said more
than once that much of his success in the ministry was due to the warm and
loving personality of my his wife. Dad
tends to be reserved and private, but Mom's outgoing personality would make a
positive opening that would bring them close to people. Their unity was so strong it is not possible
to talk about one without talking about the other. As children we sometimes try to see if we can
"divide and conquer". It never
happened in our home. I was never able
to get one to disagree with the other in something I wanted to do. Since Mom was more approachable, I would
often talk with her knowing she would share what I said with him.
I know others have had Godly parents
also, but it is, sadly, so rare. Even in
the church it is uncommon. There is a
lot of talk about what the church can do for young people. How can we "make church
attractive". What can be done to
keep our young people from leaving the church?
Unfortunately there is not much talk about the role of the home life. The guidance and direction of the parents is
not brought up very much. But I suggest
90-95% of the problem is due to parents not setting a right example in all
things. It takes a LOT of prayer, self
sacrifice, and focusing on Jesus as The Example, for parents to raise children
for God. A lot of Bible reading, and
more prayer. Too often parents don't set
the right example. It seems like they
operate on a "do as I say, not as I do" plan. That leads only to failure. Dad tells me about one lady he knew who
brought her children to church faithfully, and even sacrificed to send them to
church school. But then she would
constantly criticize the church and its leaders.
Well, I could go on praising my
parents, especially my Mom. Often when
thinking back on her life as my Mother I find the words of Proverbs 31 coming
to mind. In that day that Jesus spoke
about, when your "Father
which seeth in secret, himself shall reward thee openly". (Matthew 6:4) and: "The Son of man shall come in the glory
of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to
his works." (Matthew 16:27)
I am sure these words will be spoken by God to my Mother, as well as to
ALL the faithful wives and mothers: "Give
her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the
gates." (Proverbs 31:31)
In all
the churches where my parents have served, the Godly influence they exerted is
still remarked about. Even those I talk
to who were children growing up in those churches tell me how much they admired my Dad and my
Mom. Their life together is one of the
greatest evidences of the reality and power of God.
There is only one reason for their
faithful influence over the years and that is the work of God's Spirit in
them. The life they lived is available
to everyone who faithfully follows Jesus, because "God is no respecter of persons". The lives they influenced over the years will
be seen only in heaven, where many, many voices will be raised to give praise
and glory to God for His grace that was revealed in their life. God used them to "turn many to righteousness",
and the light of Christ shining in them continues to help others keep on the
narrow way that leads to eternal life.
