Parents Are The Single Greatest Influence on Children~Ariel Kalil

I will start this article with a quote from my friend on Facebook, he says, “There has been talks around about teenagers who have since gone wild with parties that include drinking, sex among other things. In the debate, there has been a finger pointed at parents and how they are handling this kids, but the reality of the matter is, we are living in extra ordinary times where for instance the kids got too much time on their end, they communicate with friends every other second through social platforms and most of them are living a head of their time…” and it goes on.

Ladies and gentlemen, SOMEONE will raise your children. Children cannot raise themselves. It is up to you to decide whether you, your TV, house helps, the neighbors’ children, the streets, classmates, strangers, Sunday School, Social Media, VBS, will raise yours.

But Of this one thing be sure: you do not own any of your children; you are a steward, and you will be accountable to God for your role in their lives during their formative years. Decide early what your priorities will be between your job and your children; your new boyfriend and your children; people’s opinions and your children; your PhD and your children; the club and your children; your hair and your children; ‘Top 40 Under 40’ and your children. Should anything happen to your children because you entrusted them to strangers so that you could pursue ephemeral things, please know that you will be accountable.

Today’s world looks down on Biblical motherhood. Single moms and dads abound, and things are tough. It can be difficult to make the choice to do what you can, by God’s grace, to raise your children right. Know that God, who gives grace, is by your side. Report to Him daily for strength to be who He has called you to be, and remember that you WILL give an account before Him. Jesus said is better for you to be cast into the sea with a millstone around your neck, than to cause a child to stumble.

“Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD, and the fruit of the womb is His reward.” Psalm 127:3

In the movie “Courageous”, Alex Kendrick puts this in a profound way: “I now belives that God’s desires for every father is to courageously step up and do whatever it takes to be involved in the life of his Children. It’s more than just being there providing for them, but to walk with them through their young lives and be a visual representation of the character of God our father in heaven.”

A father should love his children, seek to win their hearts, he should protect them, DISCIPLINE them and teach them about GOD. He should model how to walk with integrity, he should call out his Children to become responsible men and women and live a life that matters through eternal. Some people will read this and mock it or even ignore but I tell you as a father/parent, you are accountable to God for the position of influence he has given you. You cannot fall asleep on the wheel only to wake up one day and realize that your job has no eternal value but the souls of your children do.

I have already made my decision as a father. You don’t have to ask who will guide my family because by God’s grace I will. You don’t have to ask me who will teach my Children to follow Christ because I will.

 If you look at our world now, every tree is protected except for the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. We’ve redefined everything and what chaos in this world in which we live.

I will finish with a verse from Joshua 24:14-15: “Now therefore fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”