Source/Author: Dr Michael Dalseno

To what extent are we, as parents, complicit in the kinds of focus our kids have, the paths they are so ardently pursuing, and their racing after the many promises made by a world eager to attract them. At the end of the day, what is it that really matters, satisfies and endures?

“… do not hinder them from coming to Me”

Dr   D

When Jesus uttered these timeless words (Matt.19.14), He was rebuking His very own disciples for discouraging children from coming to Him. Some believers have a strange perspective of children; about what they can do and cannot do, what they should focus on and should not focus on, what to emphasize as a priority and what not…   

This was not the only such episode recorded in the Bible. On another occasion, children were crying out in the Temple saying, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” (Matt.21.15). The response? Some of God’s people became indignant with their devotion and expression, prompting yet another rebuke from Jesus, “Do you really hear what they are saying?” (v.16).

Jesus again express His heart over this matter when He says, “how often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling” (Matt.23.37). There is something endearing, enduring and beautiful about parents freeing their children to love, worship and serve the Lord without restraint.

To what extent we limit our children is both a contemplative and challenging question. After all, as parents, we all tend to have goals for our children; heights we want them to reach, careers we want them to master, skills we want them to attain, obligations we want them to fulfill, and the list goes on. But do we readily encourage our children, of any age, to focus on the Lord, to develop their spiritual giftings, to serve the local church, or maybe - if the call is there - to train in Christian leadership, study God’s Word, or even go into ministry service?

We are reminded of people, like Hannah, who dedicated her son Samuel to service in the tabernacle of the Lord (1Sam.Ch.1). Not the typical thing to do, but history testifies of the beauty and blessing that followed her decision. Or people like the sons of Rechab (Jer.Ch.35) whom God noticed for their dedication and devotion. The Lord maximized His blessings on the Rechabites with the promise, “Rechab shall not lack a man to stand before Me always” (Jer.35.19). According to this passage of scripture, there is no greater reward, blessing or recognition than standing in service for the Lord.

Such episodes are timely reminders, in our Postmodern day and age, of the extent to which we as parents are complicit in the kinds of focus our kids have, the paths they are so ardently pursuing, and their racing after the many promises made by a world eager to attract them. At the end of the day, what is it that really matters, satisfies and endures?