This realization began with a telling comment from my husband. He said, “I feel like a life with no schedule has also driven us to a home without any discipline.” He obviously noticed what I had been observing as well. In this time of minimal schedules and loose bedtimes, there was also a trend towards casual obedience and diluted expectations. How easy it is to fall into this trap of weakened resolve. When you are free from onlookers, it tends to reveal where your priorities are. My husband and I were acknowledging that our parenting was showing signs of diminished diligence because there seemed to be no accountability.
There is a verse in Nehemiah that spoke powerfully to both of us as we were praying over the need to “stick to it” even in the midst of the mundane. Nehemiah 4:23 states,
“So neither I nor my brothers nor my servants nor the men of the guard who followed me, none of us took off our clothes; each kept his weapon at his right hand.”
In this account, Nehemiah and the nation of Israel were under attack as they tried to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem. The city walls had been in shambles for many years while the enemies of God mocked and pilfered. The attacks were constant and the rhetoric of the foes daunting.
The answer to both of these perspectives is found in the testimony of Nehemiah 9. In this chapter we see the nation of Israel responding to the Word of the Lord that had not been read corporately for many years. As their ears hear it, both conviction and repentance are the response.
Then we see a rehearsing of all that God had seen them through. Their rebellion and stubborn will right alongside their victories and accomplishments. In verse 33 we read these words,
“Yet You have been righteous in all that has come upon us, You have dealt faithfully and we have acted wickedly.”
There will be days when the losses will outweigh the gains in our parenting journey. Many times we will see our failings and catch a glimpse of our weapons placed on a shelf instead of in our hands. But we are not faithful in and of ourselves. Just like a nation who found their city broken and breached because of their self-will and disobedience, our children may at times appear to resemble a confused and conflicted pile of rubble. But God will do what He promises because He can do nothing but. He is faithful to complete the work He starts. It doesn’t all rest on me. Thankfully it rests on His faithfulness. My only requirement is humble diligence to repent, resolve, and pick my weapon back up.
There is no time like today to wield the weapon of the Word and the watchful eye of The Holy Spirit in the lives of our children. Even though summer days bring a much-needed reprieve from the hustle and bustle, the call to parenting never affords that way of thinking.
After my husband and I studied this out, we called a Rossiterville family forum. We delivered the new proclamation of a renewed desire to hold to the lines God has placed in His Word as it pertains to obedience and submission. Lazy summer days are here to be enjoyed, but laziness in parenting has no place in our lives. Here is to building a home, brick by brick, precept upon precept, sword in hand, and eyes fixed on the adversary.
What parenting challenges have you faced during the pandemic?
3 Comments
With 4 boys, I definitely try to still have somewhat of a routine with bedtimes, mealtimes and a daily outing to the pool. Otherwise the children can pretty much do what they want but have a limited electronics time (during youngest's nap).
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6/13/2020 10:08:56 am
Parenting starts before birth and continues until death. It is a life-long commitment. God;s commitment is even longer. He is our example. Looking to Him helps our steadfastness. I commend you and your husband for noticing and acting on behalf of your family. Enjoy them!
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