Parenting II–Parents as Spiritual Coaches

Rev Nicholas Choo, 12/12/2010
Deu 6:1-9  "Now this is the commandment, the statutes and the rules that the LORD your God commanded me to teach you, that you may do them in the land to which you are going over, to possess it,  (2)  that you may fear the LORD your God, you and your son and your son's son, by keeping all his statutes and his commandments, which I command you, all the days of your life, and that your days may be long.  (3)  Hear therefore, O Israel, and be careful to do them, that it may go well with you, and that you may multiply greatly, as the LORD, the God of your fathers, has promised you, in a land flowing with milk and honey.  (4)  "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.  (5)  You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.  (6)  And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart.  (7)  You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.  (8)  You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.  (9)  You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

The Father Connection

I am re-reading the book of the above mentioned title by Josh McDowell.

Jesse is already 13. Soon, I will be too lame and boring for him. I want to make good use of my remaining 'interesting' time with him.

I have talked about this many times. I will say it again. Parents, especially fathers should take good care of their children. Engage them. Talk to them. Listen to them.

I have failed rather miserably in being a good father. I used to do revision with Jesse. I used to read the Bible and pray with him EVERYDAY. Now, I would just ask him to read the Bible and pray alone. I will spend my time with him. It's more important than anything else. It's more enjoyable than anything else.

My VP, despite her busy schedule, has a 'tuition' for her daughter on Saturdays. If K finds out, I will have no end of it. :)

Josh said that children spell love as T-I-M-E. It is not hard for me to sit down and go through the Bible and study it together with Jesse. He's a bright boy, praise God. But if I don't guide him, it'd be a shame. Jesse will life to the fullest he can be according to God's will. I will do my best to ensure that.

Josh also listed three main influence in a child's life - father, peer pressure and the media. If the father is too busy or always absent, then peer pressure will be too tremendous. And without a role model, the media set the standard for the child. And that's a terrible thing.

Whenever I think of Jesse, I just want to hug him. I will be in PM ministry on Thu together with him. It will be a good time.