“We will not hide them from their children, But [we will] tell to the generation to come the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, And [tell of] His great might and power and the wonderful works that He has done. For He established a testimony (a specific precept) in Jacob And appointed a law in Israel, Which He commanded our fathers That they should teach to their children [the great facts of God’s transactions with Israel], That the generation to come might know them, that the children still to be born May arise and recount them to their children, That they should place their confidence in God And not forget the works of God, But keep His commandments, And not be like their fathers— A stubborn and rebellious generation, A generation that did not prepare its heart to know and follow God, And whose spirit was not faithful to God.”
Psalms 78:4-8 AMP
Psalm 78 contains a principle that has guided a majority of how we parent with intention: intentionally telling our children about G-d and His goodness and mighty deeds in our lives.
The Bible is clear. One generation … that’s me, my husband, our parents, our people, and our tribe.
Shall tell the next generation … that’s my children, my tribe’s children, and my nieces and nephews.
Of the mighty deeds of God … even when it doesn’t FEEL like it, He is mighty – He is good – and He is worthy – His mighty deeds in history and His mighty deeds in my life.
If we want to prepare our children and generation to come to follow G-d, we have to intentionally TELL THEM His truth.
It is THE single reason I started a blog to begin with – to tell my children. Yes, it’s good therapy and I hope it encourages someone, but everything I write is really for them, for their children, and their grandchildren. I dream to have this all bound in a book one day – testimonies, insights, my heart – for them – in print – that will last long after I draw my last breath.
Deuteronomy 6 also speaks of the telling:
6 “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart.
7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.
8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.
9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
To teach them diligently means to intentionally tell them, to be dedicated, committed, and actively imparting G-d’s truth to them in all things and in all places: when you lie down, when you sit, when you rise …
Tell them when? All.The.Time.
Tell them what? THE Truth – His Truth.
Our children will always be told something. The question is … what are we telling them? Are we counteracting the lies of the world? Are we amplifying the voice of God over the voice of the enemy? Are we speaking truth to counteract the lies their little hearts hear?
Our children and grandchildren will face things we never dreamt of. It is crucial to ground them now and teach them His ways while there is still time.
The telling, the teaching, the preparing – it all starts with me. And in order to have something worth telling, I have to experience Him. I have to know Him. I have to encounter Him. Randal’s encounter starts with me. Alathia’s encounter starts with me. And encounter requires making room for God.
Father – thank You for what You’ve placed in my heart. Thank You for trusting me with two arrows. Thank You this space to write. Give me boldness to speak Your Truth in love always. Amen.
Daily Reading: Psalms 73, 77-78