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“Children are not the obstacles that keep us from enjoying the good life…”

I read this quote on [4] Amy’s Humble Musings this week where she mused about good things in her life and pondered her children. I am encouraged by her desire to be a godly mom by setting an example of godliness for her children to see and follow. At the end of this post she wrote–”As I think through the things that fill our lives, I aim to purge the clutter and embrace the things that matter, especially the eternal souls in my care.” What an inspiring and sobering perspective! That a child is an eternal soul in his parent’s care.

Tyler is 9 months old today and I am in awe as I see how he has grown and changed so much and will do so even more in the months to come. Above are pictures of Bobby and I at 9 months as well. Many people might think that being a mom is so dramatic–this little person depends on you 24 hours a day for nurture and care, late nights, spit-ups, teething, diaper changes–these things are all elements of being a parent, but I don’t know if people really realize the gravitas of what parenting entails. Being a mom or dad means having an eternal soul in one’s care. Yikes. Diapers, baths, no sleep for months–no problem. Being entrusted with an eternal soul…this is serious business.

Right now I’m reading Shepherding a Child’s Heart by Tedd Tripp. Chapter 3 is called “Your Child’s Development: Godward Orientation.” He explains that a “Godward Orientation” is what Romans 1:18-19 describes, that God has clearly revealed Himself to us and that people respond in only one of two ways. They either worship Him or worship idols. One of the headers in this chapter jumped off the page at me, it said “The Heart is Not Neutral.”

This thought really contradicts a commonly held perception in parenting. I hear many people talk about parenting and children as if parents model and teach their “innocent” kids the truth of God’s Word and then one day when they are old enough to understand, their kids will make a decision about what they will believe and live. Tripp is right, because what he says is in the Bible, the heart is never neutral, not even a child’s heart.

The passage I mentioned, Romans 1:18-19 says—

“The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven,
since what may be known about God is plain to them,
because God has made it plain to them.”

A child is either responding to God by faith or suppressing the truth in unrighteousness. I realize that this perspective seems blunt, but it’s not mine or Tripp’s. Bobby’s lesson from Sunday came to mind when I read this chapter because he taught from 1 John 2:28-3:10 and said in conclusion to the passage–”There are two types of children and they are headed in completely opposite directions. Some are like their Father God. Some are like their father Satan. And most importantly you need to know which one you are.” There is no middle ground. There is no neutral.

I think that most people reject this kind of black and white thinking especially when it comes to children. Even Christians think that kids are somehow innocent, free from the guilt of sin. I cannot find any passages in Scripture that could conclude innocence of sin of any human (other than Jesus Christ). Romans 5 is pretty conclusively saying the exact opposite, yet we so often act like our children are neutral in spiritual things until some point when they will decide whether to embrace the truth or not.

Tedd writes—

Since there is no such thing as a place of childhood neutrality , your children either worship God or idols. These idols are not small wooden or stone sanctuary. They are the subtle idols of the heart. The Bible describes such idols using terminology such as fear of man, evil desires, lusts, and pride…What we have in view are any manner of motives, desires, wants, goals, hopes, and expectations that rule the heart of a child…these things do not have to be articulated to be present.

Either they [our children] respond to life as children of faith who know, love, and serve Jehovah, or they respond as children of foolishness, and unbelief, who neither know him nor serve him. They are not simply the sum total of what you and I put into them; They interact with life either out of a true covenant faith or out of an idolatrous covenant of unbelief. (p.21)

Wow. Parenting is not just providing care, love and good influence. It is engaging a child, who has an eternal soul, to live to worship his Creator rather than the created. This reality of parenting is a heavy one because it carries innumerable implications for me as a mom. I cannot afford to be weak in my example or wavering in my worship. It is critical that I live consistently, intentionally and clearly for the Lord.

Reading this book has reminded me that being this kind of mom does not start at some point later; when I think Tyler is intelligently watching and listening to me. This kind of mom is made a reality in being a day-in-day-out disciple of Christ Jesus my Lord.