Psalm 127:3, "Children are a gift from the LORD; they are a reward from Him."

Proverbs 22:6, "Train up children in the way they should go; even when they are old they will not depart from it."

Think

Oxygen is a life-giving necessity, but too much of it will actually take your life. Attention is very similar. Like oxygen, it is beneficial, but we can "OD" on it. When it comes to children, there is always a battle for attention. Who runs the show? Who gets the spotlight? Will it be the parent or the child?

Children enrich our lives in ways words cannot express. But there's a trap, the attention trap, that many parents fall into when it comes to their children. From the moment a child is born, it starts demanding attention. Immediately, parents orbit everything around the baby. Yes, babies need major attention, but too much attention leads to whiny, spoiled kids who grow into whiny, spoiled adults.

The Bible is an adult-centered (not child-centered) book. This doesn't mean kids are unimportant or insignificant. Absolutely not! Children are a gift from God. But they must learn that they're not first, that they do not dictate the family schedule. God is first, followed by Dad and Mom. When children learn this order at an early age, they mature into Christ-centered, responsible adults ready to lead a new generation!

Act

Take a hard look at your household, particularly when it comes to your children. Does everything revolve around them? Are they the center of attention? If so, what changes do you need to make?

Pray

Dear God, I want my home and family to reflect Your order. Please show me where I can better lead my kids, and give me the wisdom to do what is right for my family. In Jesus' name, Amen.