The love a parent has for their children can be a beautiful thing. However, it can also stop the wheels of progress. Proper parenting is meant to help a child assimilate morals and good values. Proper parenting does not include policing children. You want to be close enough to shape their walk. Yet, give them enough space to allow them to grow into their own distinct personality. Ephesians 6:4 (ESV) says, “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” A parent must learn to love and discipline children towards accomplishment of the dreams of the child.
Judges 14:1-4 shows how Samson’s parents did not understand the choices and demands of Samson. But, his choice was from the Lord. A lot of times, parents are clueless as to the Lord’s life choices for their children. They end up derailing the life of such children. Nikola Tesla, the great inventor was almost going to become a priest at the insistence of his father. His father was a priest, and wanted the same for his son. The man would only agree to permit Nikola explore a career in engineering, when the boy was sick unto death. If that man had insisted on priesthood for Nikola, the world would have been worse off.
A child must be treated as a unique human being, separate from their parents. Zechariah had to insist that his son will be named John. Against the objection that the name was strange to their priestly lineage (Luke 1:57-64). Your children are not a vehicle for you to explore alternative lifestyles and careers. Recognize the spiritual truth that you are nothing more than a caretaker of your children. Appointed by God to prepare them for their own unique mission. You must be ready to yield to the Lord if their path in life diverges from your own.
