THE CHILDREN WITHIN US

"Hey, fathers, do not provoke your children to anger." This warning is certainly not only for fathers, but for both fathers and mothers, as well as all parties who play the role of parents. The things that are prohibited are not only things that trigger children's anger, but all mistakes in raising children (being too protective, authoritarian, too lenient, etc.). In other words, the Apostle Paul reminds us, "Do not provoke your children to anger."

Why is such a warning necessary?

"Most of us become parents long before we have stopped being children," said Mignon McLaughlin, an American journalist and writer. Most of us become parents long before we have stopped being children. When we become parents, we are not yet mature, still carrying childish behaviors: wanting to win alone, always feeling right, rejecting corrections, wanting to always be obeyed, etc. Our chances of making parenting mistakes are very high.

In this regard, the Apostle Paul does not condemn parents in raising children. He reminds, "Do not provoke your children to anger." However, he then assigns a task, "Bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." The Apostle Paul knows that being a parent is not the peak of maturity, but rather part of the process towards maturity itself. While and because of raising children, parents grow more mature. Therefore, parents are still trusted to raise children.

Indeed, we should raise children with all our hearts and full of responsibility. It is a form of gratitude and respect for the Lord who is pleased to continue to trust us. --EE/www.renunganharian.net