ATTENTION!!!

This is the first school year back since covid and this has been the first school year that as a parent, that's been the toughest on my heart. I don't know about you, reading this devotional, blog thing. But My heart has just been hurting! 

It's not just school, it's everywhere. It doesn't matter if it's a christian private school or even a public school. It's on social media, movies, music, so many things that are seeking the young ones attention and it's really getting some of them! 

There's a battle for our children's minds and hearts just raging all around us, we are literally at war. There's a real war with a real enemy. 

But....In order to win this war we have to hold onto Gods Word and engage society with grace and truth. Don't let society take our children. 

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

Proverbs 22:6

Our job as parents is to train our children to hear Gods still small voice when all other voices and noises are trying to compete for their attention.....today and for the years to come. Today, meaning while they are young. You will not believe the things that kids hear in schools from other students AND even just out and about with their little ears. Also when kids are with other people and adults.

It's like they have hearing radars of some sorts! 

For our family, going to church and having our kids surrounded by godly company will help them make better choices as they grow older. I'm not going to say they will be perfect because as my bonus daughter says "No one is perfect except for God." But it will put a foundation for making better choices in who they will surround themselves with as they grow in their spiritual walk. 

On our refrigerator we have a stick figure drawing that I did from a devotional. Its not very good so I am not sharing the photo on here but I will just give you an idea of what it is based on in these verses. Stay with me, there's quite a few..

Finally, my brethren, by strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

For wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all. to stand.

Stand Therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

Above all, taking the shield of faith where with ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God;

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints. 

Ephesians 6:10-18

I am sure you get the point. It is a drawing of a stick figure wearing armor!

When someone goes into battle, they take their FULL armor. They don't just take their helmet and nothing else. How would anything else be protected?

They don't just take their breastplate and nothing else. How would anything else be protected?

What good would armor be if they do not fully protect themselves?

So here's a good question to parents or even to those that are influences on kids close to them (family member and what not):

What good would we be as parents if we don't teach our kids and show our kids a good example by showing them how to fully protect themselves spiritually?

We cannot control our children: We can't keep them from making poor choices.

BUT what we CAN do is we can pray for them as they grow and we can point them BACK to God when or IF they start to stray or may not make good choices and we can pray for a hedge of protection around them everyday! 

Other than that, trust God and put them in Gods hands.