A Steady Path

We set standards for our lives, rules, boundaries that are put in place not on the brink of sin but instead miles away from it. We are flesh, we are tempted, we will fall!!! The lines we commit to not crossing, the holy thread we allow God to interweave into the material of our being are not there for our glory but to keep us righteous and redeemed. As parents we have an honored privilege, a grueling task, of setting these rules, not to take away freedom but to give our children a path, to help them on their walk with our Father. A walk they will stray from, that they will fall short of, just as we do. Teaching them as Proverbs 19:20 says, "If you listen to advice and accept instruction you will be wise," allows God to use them in ways sin would keep them from.

I am easily persuaded when a request comes from a kind face, a respectful attitude, and my kids have me figured out.  There are times I say, "yes," and  an hour later I wish I had said, "no."  Yet when I  set a firm, non-waivering rule, I am not easily persuaded, my children know not to ask, and the boundary structure stays in tact.
Preparing them for a world that is constantly screaming, "Tear down all the walls of righteousness, come just a little closer to sin," tempting and exciting them by luring us to the shores of sin, where the waves of desire and flesh spray our feet with what our carnal bodies crave.

For the wisdom of the world is foolishness with God.  1 Corinthians 3:19

There is a sweet time in the life of our youth where they should be unhurried, unencumbered to have quite moments with our Father. Instead the world tells our young people to do everything they can because "you are only young once." Instead of building popular children, we should be instilling our Big God into them.

Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved, a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing the Word of Truth. 

2 Timothy 2:15