2:85 – It Takes A Village To Raise A Child

#faithbites #faithjourney village

This afternoon my children were enjoying the weather playing outside with their friends across the street who we know and trust. When they came home, my youngest said a boy next store was being mean and pushed her. My oldest said the boy said mean things, threw a bottle at her back, pushed her, and when they were leaving said “Bye Suckers”. My kids don’t like about that so I asked my neighbor and he confirmed it. Also that his kids and mine all told the other boy to stop. I did tell my kids not to play with him again.

My first thought was who is this little kid. In my mind I said other more colorful words but realized quickly that isn’t helpful. How was he raised? Then I quickly changed to what can I do. How can I help the situation. Blaming a seven or eight year old isn’t going to help.

I know he lives with his grandparents and I don’t know the whole story. It isn’t for me to judge how he is raised or what goes on in their house.

I did reflect that my children and my neighbors children are well mannered, not perfect as they are kids, but try to respect everyone. I also know that some of that comes from the school their are in, the church they attend, and the family and friends influencing them on a daily basis.

We need to help each other raise strong men and women. We are one village and it takes all of us to help.

Scripture

• Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it. – Proverbs 22:6
• Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. – Ephesians 6:4
• No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. – Hebrews 12:11

Reflection

One of the promises our church has parents and sponsors make during baptism is to bring up their children in the ways of the church, bring them to worship, and in time place the Holy Scriptures in their hands. The church is also responsible for helping the child grow in faith

We are part of this village we call life. We need to see each other as brothers and sisters and lend a hand. I’m not saying to parent each other’s kids, but help out when needed. I’ve given our close friends the ok to discipline our kids when they get it of hand. No discipline is pleasant at the time but no discipline leads to chaos.

I don’t know why the kid behaved the way he did. From experience with him, it wasn’t a one off day. I could be mad at him, I could be mad at his parents, but will that help him? Maybe not. Maybe a kind word, a chat, or taking an interest in him could help. I’m not sure.

I’m not a perfect parent by far. I’ve yelled at my kids, let them get away with murder, or do things I’ve disapproved of. I try to get better each day. Some of it comes from them, some comes from other parents giving me advice. This is not easy. You have to be part of the village in the way it’s comfortable to you.

I do know that we need to come together, help each other, and train up our children in the ways of God, as we won’t always be here to correct them.

Charge

What do you do when a child misbehaves? Do you yell at them? Maybe you talk to their parents? Do you take a legitimate interest in them and try to correct them. Try, when appropriate, to extend the caring of being in a village and everyone helping out .

Prayer

Dear Lord, I pray for that neighborhood boy. I pray that you are in his and his family’s life. That you give them guidance on how to tweak his behavior and help him be part of your family and our village. Lord, give us all your strength and knowledge to remember how we should be connected and how we should be helping each other raise up our children in your way. In your great name, Amen.