“Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” – Matthew 19:14 (NIV)
Famous orator and writer Frederick Douglass said, “It’s easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.”
The responsibility of nurturing children includes giving them directions; they will not find the correct path on their own. As parents, we must remember that in some respects, children are only launched once, like the Prophet Samuel, the son of Elkanah (of Ephraim), and Hannah, who was given in answer to the prayer of his previously childless mother. In gratitude, she dedicated him to the service of the chief sanctuary of Shiloh, i.e., she gave him back in service to the Lord, where Eli, the priest, mentored him.
As Samuel grew in stature and favour with God and the people (1 Samuel 2:26), Eli received a prophecy from an oracle of God that predicted the fall of his (Eli’s) house (1 Samuel 1:2), which God also revealed to Samuel. Everyone in the land became aware that Samuel was a prophet of the Lord. When he became an adult, he inspired Israel to a great victory over the Philistines at Mizpah (1 Samuel 7).
As parents, we are to prepare children (biological or orphans) for life and train them in the teachings of the Lord, as Priest Eli did with Samuel. As arrows, they are to be prepared to fly straight and hit the target. Their point must be sharp, and the feathers must be perfectly placed and attached, well fitted. When it is ready to fly, the bow must be pulled back all the way and released for maximum effect.
Therefore, it is our duty as parents (or guardians) to carefully nurture and train our children and release them only when the time is right. Do not abort or circumvent the process. In Matthew 18:5-6, God holds us responsible for the spiritual welfare of His children, and this responsibility should not be taken lightly. Raise them in such a manner that we can present them back to Him with joy.
Read: Proverbs 29:17; Colossians 3:21
Bible Reading Guide: Psalm 55:12-23; John 3:22-36; Joshua 23; Joshua 24
