Matthew 18:3 – And [Jesus] said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." (NIV)

My father loved the Lord. Everyone who knew him or met him, knew it. Everywhere he went, he spoke about how Jesus loves us and came to save us. He also loved to sing. He sang everywhere — choruses, hymns, and little songs that he made up himself. Singing was one of the ways that he passed on his love for Christ to me at a very early age. I, too, love the Lord; I, too, love to sing; and I, too, make up songs and sing everywhere I go — like father, like daughter.

Several years ago, when my daughter was about three, we were driving home, and she started to sing. At first, it was simply "Jesus loves me", but that blossomed into an hour-long song that she made up as she went, thanking God for the sun and the sky and the plants and the animals and so much more. Praise, worship, and prayer poured from her little lips and heart! It was truly magnificent!

Parenting is not easy. In fact, I believe it to be both the most difficult and the most rewarding job. It is the greatest privilege and the greatest responsibility. God has lent us His children to love them, to teach them, and to show them His love, His way, His salvation, and His peace. From a very young age, children will turn to God if they are shown how.

The world is a dangerous place in so many ways. The greatest danger to us is spiritual. At times, it is difficult to stand for Christ. The world is a relentless bully that keeps trying to knock us down and trample on us, especially through our children, but God has given us His armour and power to stand. We must pass this on to our children. We must teach them that God has provided the victory through His Son Jesus. We must show them that He loves us so much that He was willing to pay the price of death for our sin.

Will you join me in teaching our children the love of Christ? Will you help them to stand through His power? If we don't teach the children, the world will.

Prayer: Merciful Father, thank You so much for the gift of children! What a wonderful blessing they are! Help us, Lord, to teach them about You and Your love. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.