2015 Copyright Lori Hadorn-Disselkamp 2015 Copyright Lori Hadorn-Disselkamp

The way our children are raised determines an immense amount of their future. The influence of an actively-involved father figure on a young boy's life is sometimes underestimated in our culture. If children are raised with strong mothers who discipline, teach, nurture, and pass on their faith that child will thrive in the future, with self-discipline, the ability to love, and the foundation of faith in God. If children, especially boys, are raised with a loving father who is actively involved in their lives, they will learn how to be a man. They will learn what priorities are most important, the role of a man, and the role of a father. If a girl is raised with an actively-involved, loving, and encouraging father she will look for a strong man with the same qualities to start her own family.

People underestimate the importance of good, loving, faith-filled parents. Someone once told me that most people just try to get through parenting; it's not their main priority. That kills my heart. Our children are precious gifts from God that we are given to raise, nurture, teach, discipline, and love like God loves them on this earth. It is our responsibility to raise them to become good, loving, self-disciplined, responsible, caring, and strong adults.

Parenting is not a side job. As parents we need to realize this is not a temporary activity that we can take lightly. The honor of being a parent should be received as a vocational call from God. God has extended his love to us to give to our children. There will never be a perfect parent. There will be mistakes, regrets, and tears along the way. However, we must always remember that God is with us and do all that we can to love, nurture, teach, discipline, and care for our children. One day our words, and our actions will be lived out by our children. What words and actions are you teaching your children today?

 

Copyright 2015 Lori Hadorn-Disselkamp
Photo copyright 2015 Lori Hadorn-Disselkamp. All rights reserved.