It was me against my oldest. We sat in the middle of the living room floor to battle it out with an impromptu game of Checkers. I once taught him this game when he was about eight. Now here we are, and somehow, I am the one losing against him. I am both bummed that I am continuously being defeated by his skill, and yet, also very proud of his victory. It is fair to say now he has become officially a better Checkers player than myself. Honestly, that is always the goal. That as we teach our children things, that they will grow from what has been taught and continue to flourish on their own merits. Like this game of checkers, I pray my son does the same in life. That as we teach him about life and raise him to become a man of God; that he will far exceed our hopeful intentions. That both our children will. That they will be even better people than we were. Learning from our mistakes and taking in every bit of wisdom we gave. Friend, we are given only so much time to raise our children. May we enjoy them at any age. May we take the time in every opportunity to lead them to their victory; living their life for God and being with Him someday. Friend, though having fun with our children is important, we must not become their friend and lose sight of being their parent. Sometimes being a parent is about having fun and playing with them. However, it is always about leading them as their parents, to be Christ-centered and how to walk in His way. A parent that parents, will raise a child who is better able to withstand the pressures of this world and grow in their faith. May we focus on growing our children and watch them flourish to be the men and woman that God has called them to be.

Erin Fitts-Brower

Ephesians 6:4 NIV

Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

Deuteronomy 5:29 NIV

Oh, that their hearts would be inclined to fear me and keep all my commands always, so that it might go well with them and their children forever!

Proverbs 1:8-9 NIV

Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. They are a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck.

Proverbs 22:6 NIV

Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.