今日靈修默想:『教養孩童,使他走當行的路,就是到老他也不偏離。』箴22:6
默想一:父母當前的機會與責任是什麼?是搶先「教養孩童」!是趁著孩子在身邊可教的時候,把握機會在家中「殷勤教訓自己的兒女」。不要天真的認為,等孩子長大自然會尋找神或認識神。孩童是神賜予父母,委託他們加以管教的。不要在孩子身上留下終身遺憾的事,也不要在神面前無法交帳。
默想二:我們「教養孩童」至終的目的是什麼?是「使他走當行的道」。當行的路不是指孩子自己想走的路,而是一條按著孩子獨有的潛能、性向、意願教導,並按神為孩子所命定的生命之路而行。「當行的道」只有一條,就是讓孩子從小就敬畏耶和華,心存謙卑與神同行,使他們有健全的價值觀、人生觀和世界觀。
禱告:天父上帝,感謝袮把教養子女的使命託付了作父母的我。求袮賜我智慧,讓孩子從小就滿有基督長成的身量。袮說:「只要照著主的教訓和警誡,養育他們」(弗6:4)。求袮幫助我,我願以袮的愛來管教他們,並在家以身作則,在孩子面前立下敬虔的榜樣。禱告是奉耶穌基督的名,阿們!
《Today’s spiritual meditation》: “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.” (Pro 22:6)
Meditation one: What are the present opportunities and responsibilities of parents? The most essential one is to “teach children”! It is to seize the opportunity to “diligently teach your children” at home while the children are around and still teachable. Don’t be naive to think that when your child grows up, naturally will find God or know God. Children are given by God to their parents and entrusted with their discipline. Don’t leave lifelong regrets on your children, and don’t be unable to give an account before God.
Meditation two: What is the ultimate purpose for us to “teach children”? “Start children off on the way they should go. The way they should go does not refer to the path that the child wants to take. It is a path that is taught according to the child’s unique potential, inclination, longing, therefore walks according to the life pathway determined by God for the child. There is only one “way should go”, which is to let children fear Jehovah from an early age, walk along with God humbly, and let them have sound perspective toward values, life outlook as well as world outlook.
Prayer: God Heavenly Father, thank You for entrusting me as a parent with the mission of raising children. Please give me the wisdom to let my children have the whole measure of the fullness of Christ from an early age. You said, “bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4). Please help me, I would like to discipline them with Your love, and set an example at home to establish a godly model before my children. I pray in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen!