Giving Your Heart to Your Children
Last week we discussed the importance of getting the hearts of our children. Whoever has their heart has their ear and possesses the power of influence in their life. And remember this, the power of influence far outweighs the power of authority because influence works from the inside out and will keep on working when we are no longer around; more about this at another time. Today we need to take a look at a far more important matter concerning another heart that must be secured as well… I am talking about YOUR heart dear parent.
The last verse in the Old Testament tells us that a prophet (John the Baptist) will be sent to prepare the way of the Lord; “…he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers…” (Malachi 4:6) Note the sequence: FIRST, the heart of the fathers is turned toward the children; THEN, the heart of the children toward their fathers.
It has been my observation over the years that parents are sadly preoccupied with countless activities that sap the time, energy and enthusiasm from their hearts leaving little if any to spare for their children. In essence, if kids get anything, they get the leftovers of their parents’ lives. Then to make up for the deficit of time and attention, parents will shower their kids with stuff to pacify the emptiness that has been created from their overextended lifestyles. This is a sure formula for failure in a family.
Dad and Mom, the kids don’t need more stuff, they need YOU! They need more time with you. They need YOUR HEART! You may fret and complain because of the ways your kids behave, but in many cases their annoying antics are nothing more than a desperate plea for your time and attention. Give them your heart: for where your heart is, there will your time be also.
This means some things might have to change. It may mean that some personal pleasures be laid aside; perhaps the TV needs to go to the garage; maybe less time spent on Facebook. Perhaps you should sell that second car or downsize to a smaller home to alleviate the financial bondage and all the time consuming side jobs that go along with it. One thing is for sure, if your children don’t have your heart, then someone or something else does. Face it! Can you really expect your kids to give you their hearts, if you won’t give your heart to them?