Do You Know Where Your Children Are?

If you have children, you are probably old enough to remember the public service announcements that used to come on television every night that stated “It’s 10 P.M., do you know where your children are?” When I was younger and these ads would come on, I would snicker every time I heard them, thinking “What parent in their right mind doesn’t know where their children are?!” Of course, by the time I became a teenager myself, I proved that there is a need for that question! As parents, we realize that the later our children stay out, the more trouble they can get into: fewer public places to go, less adult supervision, it’s dark outside, etc. Amidst these dangers, the more important it is to know exactly where they are.
The question we need to ask ourselves as parents is “At this time, in this dangerous world, do you know where your children are?” Do you know where your children are spiritually? Merely going to Sunday School or attending church on Sundays or Wednesdays does not ensure that your children are where they need to be spiritually. Are you nurturing your child spiritually through prayer and Bible study? Do you discuss life lessons with your children from a Biblical point of view? Is Jesus Christ the priority in your home?
As parents, it is easy to become caught up in the cares of the world. We get swept up into things such as sports, friendships, fashion, video games, academics, dating, toys, music, movies, etc. Our children are tempted with all the latest gadgets and trends, and we often comply in order to help them “fit in”. So much time, energy and money is spent on worldly pursuits. But God’s Word tells us that we shouldn’t be conformed to the world. Jesus said we are to be the light of the world, reflecting His love and a Godly character to those who view us. We should teach our children to be light in the world, not a mirror image of the world. The world needs to see Jesus Christ as the priority in the lives of believers, including children.
Often worldly pursuits take priority over what is most important: the child’s spiritual growth. A friend of mine recently commented that she and her children had not been to church in a while because of their sports schedules. Her defense was “We can’t let their teams down!” But they were willing to neglect the one who died for them to secure their eternal life. Children learn priorities from their parents. Is Jesus Christ the priority in your home?
Deuteronomy 6:5 -7 tells us “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your strength. And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. 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.” We must be diligent in teaching our children about God, making God the priority in all of our everyday experiences. It’s not easy parenting children in the world in which we live. It’s not easy to be a kid in this world, either. But if you know where your child is, spiritually, you can help them to grow in the Lord and develop a strong foundation that will support and protect them throughout their lives.

-Pastor Tina Blackburn
Children's Pastor