Monday, March 2, 2009

Watch Yourself, Because Your Kids Are

Zach Neilsen posted this quote from Douglas Wilson on parenting...
“The story of child rearing is almost wholly about imitation. We do good or ill, and the young ones follow in lock step, no matter how much we talk and point elsewhere. They are designed that way…

This inescapable imitation should be listed as a means of growing in grace. Parents often jest about their children being ‘means of sanctification,’ suggesting that child rearing is often a trial. But the situation is much more serious than a passing trial. Given the way children have to imitate parents (or whoever fills that role), one cannot just coast passively, selfishly, like we often do through tough times. Our tiniest daily responses in front of the kids constantly mold and chip away at their persons. Children are a means of sanctification because they are daily adopting their parents’ characters, virtues and vices and all. This is a blessing when we are faithful, but it’s a frightening mirror when we see our own sins growing in them. With kids around, we can’t just move slowly on our own growth. We have to grow in grace for the sake of the kids. If we don’t, then we can become a curse to them and their children.” - Douglas Wilson

3 comments:

hwilliams11 said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
hwilliams11 said...

I've never been able to see my own sin as clearly as I have since having baby Jordan. Not that I see my sin in her quite yet, but that I find my truest sins coming out because of her, such as selfishness, unrighteous anger, complaining, malice, etc. Parenting has revealed so much more about what Scripture teaches on the dynamic of God as our Father and us as His children. Praise God for His everlasting love, patience, faithfulness and discipline!

Kent said...

Have you seen the new collection of Douglas Wilson's books from Logos Bible Software? I thought you might be interested: Douglas Wilson Collection (17 Vols.)