Yesterday evening we sent our son off to his very first church camp. At almost 9 years old he of course felt he could take on the world. Mom was not so sure. He is out of my protection completely. All but one of the sponsors were not at all what I expected. Most of the children, except for 2, were rough. I knew my son was going to be up against it this trip. Would he remember his training and our teaching? Would the amount of those two things that we have been able to do in 9 short years be enough to combat things he might face? You see,he has been home schooled for 3 years, and I have to tell you the caliber of kids is different. They don't back talk, they are respectful, the young men shield their heart and eyes from they way most young girls dress and behave. My list could go on. Don't misunderstand my statements. I know several public schooled children who are of the same caliber of the children my son is around in the home school group. My heart feels for them because they fight a battle every time they go to school. They fight for their faith daily. Any way....I said all of that to say he is not used to this type of behavior. I wonder if this is how the Lord feels with us sometimes. I never let on to my apprehension as he joyfully loaded the bus with not even so much as a "bye Mom." I know what you must be thinking, but I didn't cry. My heart ached a little, but I did not cry. I don't want him to be afraid of the world outside his front door, only to be very cautious of it. There are so many things that I could write on this little incident in our lives, but here is what the Lord of Heaven has laid on my heart this morning.
I want to look at the idea of protection . When you think of the word protection you may think of safety. I did. I also thought of home, comfort, and those who love us. I thought of God and Bart, both of whom protect me. My bible defines the word protection like this: safe-keeping . The word protect was defined like this: to guard or shield. I have had someone who will remain nameless tell me out right that I can not protect my son from everything. I was called overprotective. (side note: this mother had a son who became a drug addict and is mentally unstable and a daughter who was raped at the age of 14 and also dabbled in drugs other things.) I became upset at this of course, but after the initial hurt I began to do some thinking. Is it wrong to protect our young children? Some would say yes and others no. However, I am not concerned with opinions. I am concerned with what the word of God has to tell us. Ecclesiastes tells us that wisdom is protection in verse 12 of chapter 7. Can a child of 9 years old have wisdom? In my sons case I have witnessed some but certainly not enough to turn him loose just yet. 2 Thessalonians 3:3 says this: But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. This verse brings me comfort. Even when we are not faithful we know that the Lord is. This reminds us that He is faithful and because of His faithfulness He will give us strength and protection from the evil one. As adults we are often unable to be faithful. How much more is a child? They simply don't have the years spent in the word or the experiences in the world against the evil one that we have. I am blessed to know that His protection over my son at this stage in his life doesn't depend on his faithfulness, but HIS faithfulness. God is righteous and good right???? So if He is going to protect His children from the evil one should we as parents not do the same? He is our perfect example of parenting. 2 Samuel 22:31 says this about God being our shield: "As for God, His way is blameless; The word of the Lord is tested; He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him." This verse as well is a comfort. It reminds us as parents and children of God that His way is always best. It says His word is tested. Meaning we can bank on the word of God. He is our shield if we take refuge in Him.
Is protecting our children while they are young and impressionable wrong? Based on my devotion time with the Lord I would have to say NO. God wants to protect us as well. There is no wrong in God. Remember 2 Samuel... God is blameless. Keep your children protected and safe while you train them in the way they should go. Even the U.S. Marines won't put greenhorns who haven't had a stitch of basic training in the battles fray. Why should we be any different. Set up life's basic training for them everyday. Give them things to experience with in the safety you can provide. Teach them and train them well. Don't just turn them loose with a few bible verses from Sunday school and let them take on the world. TRAIN THEM!!! Weather or not we want to admit it this life is a battle, and I hate to say it, but my son is not ready for the front lines yet. He isn't even ready to bring up the rear. There is still to much to teach him. He can put the armour of God on , but can he really use it in battle yet? Well... for this situation, I have to rely on 2 Thes. 3:3 and pray that the Lord will protect him. Praying God's word over our children is so powerful. Don't forget that even though this was about my son and going to camp it can still be applied to our daily lives as well. Not just as parents, but as children of the Most High. We know what the armour of God is, but do we know how to use it ? If we do know what to do with it..... do we really use it daily to fight for God and our faith against the powers of the world and the principalities of the air? Do we remain under His protection by our obedience and faithfulness???
I want to look at the idea of protection . When you think of the word protection you may think of safety. I did. I also thought of home, comfort, and those who love us. I thought of God and Bart, both of whom protect me. My bible defines the word protection like this: safe-keeping . The word protect was defined like this: to guard or shield. I have had someone who will remain nameless tell me out right that I can not protect my son from everything. I was called overprotective. (side note: this mother had a son who became a drug addict and is mentally unstable and a daughter who was raped at the age of 14 and also dabbled in drugs other things.) I became upset at this of course, but after the initial hurt I began to do some thinking. Is it wrong to protect our young children? Some would say yes and others no. However, I am not concerned with opinions. I am concerned with what the word of God has to tell us. Ecclesiastes tells us that wisdom is protection in verse 12 of chapter 7. Can a child of 9 years old have wisdom? In my sons case I have witnessed some but certainly not enough to turn him loose just yet. 2 Thessalonians 3:3 says this: But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. This verse brings me comfort. Even when we are not faithful we know that the Lord is. This reminds us that He is faithful and because of His faithfulness He will give us strength and protection from the evil one. As adults we are often unable to be faithful. How much more is a child? They simply don't have the years spent in the word or the experiences in the world against the evil one that we have. I am blessed to know that His protection over my son at this stage in his life doesn't depend on his faithfulness, but HIS faithfulness. God is righteous and good right???? So if He is going to protect His children from the evil one should we as parents not do the same? He is our perfect example of parenting. 2 Samuel 22:31 says this about God being our shield: "As for God, His way is blameless; The word of the Lord is tested; He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him." This verse as well is a comfort. It reminds us as parents and children of God that His way is always best. It says His word is tested. Meaning we can bank on the word of God. He is our shield if we take refuge in Him.
Is protecting our children while they are young and impressionable wrong? Based on my devotion time with the Lord I would have to say NO. God wants to protect us as well. There is no wrong in God. Remember 2 Samuel... God is blameless. Keep your children protected and safe while you train them in the way they should go. Even the U.S. Marines won't put greenhorns who haven't had a stitch of basic training in the battles fray. Why should we be any different. Set up life's basic training for them everyday. Give them things to experience with in the safety you can provide. Teach them and train them well. Don't just turn them loose with a few bible verses from Sunday school and let them take on the world. TRAIN THEM!!! Weather or not we want to admit it this life is a battle, and I hate to say it, but my son is not ready for the front lines yet. He isn't even ready to bring up the rear. There is still to much to teach him. He can put the armour of God on , but can he really use it in battle yet? Well... for this situation, I have to rely on 2 Thes. 3:3 and pray that the Lord will protect him. Praying God's word over our children is so powerful. Don't forget that even though this was about my son and going to camp it can still be applied to our daily lives as well. Not just as parents, but as children of the Most High. We know what the armour of God is, but do we know how to use it ? If we do know what to do with it..... do we really use it daily to fight for God and our faith against the powers of the world and the principalities of the air? Do we remain under His protection by our obedience and faithfulness???
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