Monday, May 26, 2008

Wise Words from John MacArthur

Mya starts kindergarten this fall. It feels like we are getting ready to graduate to the next level of parenting, and there are times when that feels hard.

I know that school will ultimately be a good thing and once we make the transition to our "new normal" it will be exciting. I am looking forward to watching Mya learn new things (like reading). She is ready and I am excited for her.

But I have my concerns. The main concern being that she will suddenly be bombarded by a host of other influences other than myself. A lot of these influences will be good, but some of them will go against what we are trying to teach her.

So, I was listening to a FamilyLife podcast on my ipod (side note: take my ipod and couple it with my favorite radio broadcasts and quiet kids - okay semi-quiet - or at least not screaming kids- and I am a happy woman!). The topic was "Teaching your kids to be Wise" and the guest was John MacArthur.

John was exhorting parents to teach their children to fear God and guard their child's heart. One thing he said struck a chord with me.

He said, "Primarily, guarding the mind is a function of the knowledge of the word of God. From the beginning we need to pour into our kids' hearts the Bible... In the end what protects the child is not that you don't ever let them get any bad information in, but that you fill them with what is true and that itself become the protection. "

I can't tell you the peace of mind that statement brought me. The reality is I will never be able to protect Mya from all the bad influences and ideologies that she will encounter in school and life. But, I can pour into her God's word and truth - that will be her protection.

It also reinforced to me the need to model what it looks like to be in the Word on a daily basis and protect myself from bad information (aka guard my own heart) by pouring God's word into my own life.

Parenting is not a job for the faint of heart. It is a responsibility that overwhelms me when I think of the magnitude of the task. That is why I am so thankful my Heavenly Father is there to guide me each step of the way. I can't imagine doing this job without Him.

6 comments:

Llama Momma said...

Those are wise words.

I had similar feelings when my twins started Kindergarten last year, and I can honestly say that while it has not always been easy, it is so, so good.

"Not everyone believes in Jesus, Mom," my sweet Andrew said one day, not long after school started. "I will pray for them."

And he has. And we have. And we are learning and growing together, and it's good.

I pray the transition to school is a good one for your family!

Jami said...

Amen and amen!!

Christina said...

Oh I hear you...Cole starts Kindergarten this August and I am just nervous about it. It feels like we are jumping into the great unknown.

We work hard at having open communication with Cole. We pray with him, discuss right from wrong, teach him manners and how to be an upstanding young man. But I have found the hardest part of parenting is the letting go. Many nights when I check on him while he is sleeping, I kneel beside his bed and I pray for him and I pray for myself as well.

megs @ whadusay said...

Llama Momma - thanks for commenting. it is always good to hear from someone who has been there!

Christina - I hear you and I agree - letting go is HARD!

Unknown said...

It's so reassuring to read your post and the comments of these other moms--to know that I'm not alone! I have the same worries. I often wonder if my mother worried for me as I was about to start Kindergarten. I think I can safely guess that she did! I feel the same sense of relief at MacArthur's words. There is a way to protect my children with His word. I'm so glad they are (we are) in His hands. Thanks for sharing that broadcast.

Anne said...

Wow! Those are great words! I'm not a mom yet but it can apply even to youth ministry! That's awesome!