Learning to be "dad"...

So again I'm reading in Shepherding... and man, there are some really powerful things being said, things that apply not only to our kids, but also to us as parents. Tripp points out that we all worship, every one of us. We are born that way...to worship. Problem is, often times we worship what isn't worth it. Now, this has been said before by others (see When People are Big and God is Small and the heart idols section of Peacemaking for Families), but it is always worth reminding ourselves that we have idolatry problems, and our kids do not escape this reality. Truth is, our kids will worship...either God or idols.

Now, for me, I'm raising a 3 1/2 year old and a 14 mos. old. They don't even (most of the time...don't want to discredit them) realize their God-designed bent to worship. But they do it nonetheless. Typically it's expressed in self-worship, i.e., "I'm going to throw a temper tantrum because I didn't get my way." They're worship is of themselves because of utmost importance is their happiness, not the glory of God. Does this start to give a new perspective on our task as parents? Not behavior modification. If that's what I focus on, I'll miss the boat entirely. No, my goal has to be (as Shepherding... points out) "pointing him to the One who alone is worthy of his worship. The question is not 'will he worship?' It is always 'whom will he worship?'"

This is actually the "second" development issue that Tripp raises (the first being the shaping influences, which we'll hit next week), but I believe this heart issue just runs right to the core of the matter. Remember that all of the godly external shaping influences are great, but the greatest need in the life of each and every child is the gospel. The act of sinning is not what makes our kids sinners. Instead, the fact that they are sinners makes them sin. So, it seems imperative for us to consider this point first and foremost. Dealing with the heart issues and directing our kids to the grace of the gospel is of, I believe, first priority. Let us preach the gospel boldly to our kids and lead them to develop a great love for our Great Savior.