Consistency

My observations have led me to believe that effective parents are convinced that they are responsible before God for the nurture and admonition of their children and assume that responsibility with vigilance, a conscientious oversight, an attentiveness that is acutely aware of where their children are and what they are doing. I have also recognized that they are characterized by a high level of consistency.

 Although the very quality of consistency lends a significant level of stability and predictability to any setting, its impact is most effective when it integrates the principles and truths of the Bible into daily practice. God has an eternal perspective, so any practice based on His Word is destined to succeed. God also has unlimited power, so anything He commands us to observe consistently He is able to bless accordingly.

Consistency speaks volumes. When rearing children, far more is caught than taught. Children are born imitators. Long before they can speak and understand the language of the tongue; they are well acquainted with the language of behavior. And should there be a discrepancy between the two, they have already figured out which one is more reliable. Consistency employs the power of example and realizes that all the talk in this world is not near as convincing as a real live illustration.

 Effective parents understand this principle therefore they say what they mean and mean what they say. They build fences of protection and don’t move them. They form healthy habits and maintain them. They’re not up one day and down the next. They’re not one way at church and another way at home. They’re always in their place and usually arrive at the same time. Lots of folks depend on them because they follow through with their commitments. They keep their word, even if it cost them more than they anticipated. They are people of integrity.

And their children are watching. For 18 years they watch closely; and for the rest of their lives they watch admirably, for there is nothing in this world quite so powerful and life impacting as the consistent example of a godly father and mother.