As I spent some time looking into the story of creation in Genesis chapter
one yesterday, it occurred to me that when God speaks, things happen!
Let me give you a few examples...
Genesis 1:3, "And God said, Let there be light: and there was light."
Genesis 1:6-7, "And God said, Let there be a firmament.....and it was
so."
Genesis 1:9, "And God said, Let the waters under the heavens be gathered
together....and it was so."
Genesis 1:11, "And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass.....and it
was so."
Genesis 1:14, "And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament.....and
it was so."
Genesis 1:24, "And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature
after his kind.....and it was so."
As I reflected on these scriptures, I began applying these facts to a
mother's relationship with her children... Ladies, what happens at your
house when you speak to your children about the things you would like
to see done, when as a parent you speak a command? Does your story have
the same ending as God's does - "And it was so."? There is so much power
in the Word of God, amen? How much power do you hold in your home as a
parent?? Do you receive as immediate a response as God did when His commands
were spoken? As we spend every waking moment with our children, it's easy
to lose sight of the importance of their immediate obedience to that which
we speak. We fall prey to feeling like we have to "explain" ourselves
to them, or present them a five page essay as to why we want them to do
what we are asking. At times we even allow them to strike deals with us
over our commands, weakening our position as adult little by little. Ladies,
if this is the trap you have fallen into, reread the creation story and
give yourself a parental boost! As their mother, YOU are an authority
in your home, just as God is the authority over His creation. When all
was said and done, God called His creation good. So too, when you speak,
it must be so... Then, when you are finished creating your little family,
you too will be able to look things over and confirm that all is in good
condition. Remember, without godly authority, nothing is good.
Proverbs 20:11, "Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work
be pure, and whether it be right."
One other thing that I noticed in reading through Genesis is that when
God spoke, all creation paid attention! Do your children understand they
must pay attention to you? Or have they turned their ears away and tuned
you out long ago? Do you have to promise them some sort of treat before
you gain their
reverent attention? Do you usually have to wait 5 or 10 minutes to go
by before they answer your call? Ladies, any time you open your mouth,
your children should take sharp notice with the intent of listening and
obeying on the spot. Do not slack in training your children. To do so
is to allow them to build lazy habits into their character by not addressing
their need for paying close attention to you!
Job 9:14-15, "How much less shall I answer him, and choose out my words
to reason with him? Whom, though I were righteous, yet would I not answer,
but I would make supplication to my judge."
You see ladies, when God speaks, we cannot talk back or ignore, but only
submit! And it must be so with your children... They must give earnest
heed to you. Do not let them dare to argue, debate, mutter over or even
tune out that which you have stated must take place. Just as we are unfit
to judge God's proceedings, so too, are our children unfit to judge ours!
Their young lives are without godly form and shape, just as this earth
was when God spoke certain things into existence. We have been given a
serious responsibility by God to see to it that godly character takes
shape within their hearts and minds. If this is to happen, your children
must learn to quickly submit to the voice of their parents! God expects
it of them.... If they are not responding in such a manner, He expects
it of YOU to see to it that they do! Follow your Creator's example and
make this a permanent way of life at your house.
"...And it was so."
God Bless,
Pam
Isaiah 60:1&2
Copyright 2001 Pamela A. Iannello
