Convictions

Carlisle & Reese

Parental responsibility can be overwhelming on a good day. A child is multidimensional; therefore, the parent must make decisions that directly affect every aspect of the innocent's life. That is, spiritual, physical, mental, emotional, social, educational, and so on. The idea that a snap decision, sharp word, or an unintentional oversight made today could be a painful memory that is carried with them the rest of their lives, devastation that stunts their emotional growth, or a stumbling block that hinders their spiritual walk even into their adult years is daunting. Unresolved, childhood offenses can determine the type of people they become. Bleeding wounds, missed opportunities, feelings of deprivation or injustice spill over into all areas of their lives shaping what kind of parents they become whether rigid or lax, dogmatic or lackadaisical, doting or distant, spoiling or withholding.

Earthly responsibility and heavenly accountability are how I view the privilege of raising (or rearing if you're not a true Southerner) my girls. I see earthly responsibility as providing the basic needs of human survival, tending to their emotional needs like kissing boo-boos, and lots and lots of hugs, building their self-esteem, getting them to and from school, and their extra-curricular activities. Anything that we do in our day-to-day humdrum that is spiritually neutral. It is not sinful, but not necessarily beneficial in determining their spiritual end. In other words, dance will not likely be a deciding factor in their eternal destination, but it is something they enjoy here on earth and it is something they can do as an act of worship for the One who gave them that gift.

The parent with convictions in this day of anything goes seems to be the minority. However, heavenly accountability must be at the forefront of our hearts and minds rather than a second thought or overlooked entirely even when it is uncomfortable for us because the ramifications are eternal. What we teach or do not teach our children about Jesus will not only impact their lives but will indeed impact ours. I often think of Jesus' words recorded in Matthew 18:6, "But if any of you causes one of these little ones to lose his faith, it would be better for you to have a rock tied to your neck and be thrown into the sea." No, thank you! I will opt for being misunderstood, whispered about, or feeling uncomfortable than to be dealt something worse than plummeting to the bottom of the ocean with a rock around my neck.

But, more than fear of punishment, I have life experience that drives me forward in directing my children toward Christ. I know firsthand what life is without a relationship with Him. So, it is with boldness (and sometimes with trembling knees) that I enforce my convictions until my daughters have reached spiritual maturity or at least the age of 18...and they are paying their own bills. At that time, I suspect my level of prayer and intercession will reach new heights. My convictions do not have to be outlined for the purpose of this writing for they are my own--some inherited from my upbringing which I have found applicable to my life and others that have formed in my heart from my personal relationship with Christ. We are told in Philippians 2:12 "to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling." Therefore, I will not impose my beliefs on you. However, I will share this scripture from Romans 14:23:

"But anyone who believes that something he wants to do is wrong shouldn't do it. He sins if he does, for he thinks it is wrong, and so for him it is wrong. Anything that is done apart from what he feels is right is sin."

In other words, what may be sin for me may not be sin for you. The scriptural passage has nothing to do with "being relevant" to the times or relaxing the rules, but rather what you know in your heart. If you are doing things that you undeniably know is against biblical principles, but you choose to do them anyway, that is sin regardless of what anyone else believes. The problem with little concessions here and there is that they grow into a lifestyle of compromise. That is the little foxes that spoil the vine. (Song of Solomon 2:15) My past is freckled with the "what will it hurt just this one time" or "I see other Christians doing it" justifications that led me so far away from what I knew to be true and holy. It is my prayer that my sweet girls never encounter even a fraction of the heartache I've endured from being too wimpy and too self-indulgent to stand by my convictions.

With God's guidance, I want to lead my girls into the knowledge of Him because His plans for them extend beyond one holiday experience, one romantic relationship, or one particular stage of their lives. God's desires are for their lifetimes and His hopes for their eternity.

To my beautiful ballerinas,

What joy I would find at the end of my life, to know that you have learned:


To stand for what is right even if you are the only one standing.
To understand the importance of holiness.
To know when compromise is important and when it is not an option.
To worship with your whole heart.
To use the gifts and talents He has given you for the Kingdom.
To know God's opinion of you is the ONLY one that matters.
To allow Jesus in every part of your life every single day.

"Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it."

Proverbs 22:6