Parents and children constitute a family where there is either happiness, contentment, respect, and obedience or unhappiness, resentment, anger, and rebellion. Paul tells us and our children to each do our part in building a happy family life.

But sometimes, as parents, teachers, and mentors, our focus is conformity. We compare our children to what we think is the perfect model for how they should look, talk, and act. We often pressure our children to mold their thoughts and actions after an unattainable goal.

Instead, we should be modeling what their heavenly Father is like because our conduct matters. Just like a gardener or farmer, we should spend time pruning, spraying, and fertilizing — where the ultimate result is good fruit. Exhibiting protection (love stands guard), conversation (keep talking), affection (the power of touch), discipline (sometimes love is painful), laughter (fun to live with), and faith (Jesus loves me) — helps us to make godly children who are called to do amazing things.

Dear Heavenly Father,

We pray Your Word over the children and youth in our homes, communities, and churches. As parents, teachers, and friends, help us not to provoke, irritate, or fret our children. Help us not to be hard on them, harass them, or make them feel inferior and frustrated. We commit to tenderly train, discipline, counsel, and admonish them in the way they should go. Just as Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, from child to man, we pray you bless the children and youth of this generation with the same knowledge. Pour out your favor upon them, surround them with your angels, and bless their coming and going. In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Take some time to retreat and evaluate your role in the life of your child(ren). It’s not too late for you to make some much needed changes based on today’s theme scripture (Ephesians 6:4).