PARENTING AND FAITH (TAKEN FROM MY FB)
Best sellers are best sellers because of great marketing and advertisements. Books contains knowledge but no life and certainly no Spirit.
When I first became a parent some 10 years ago, I did not know anything about being a great father but I know to be a dad is given but to be a great dad is by choice. I want to give the best of me to my children. I love them so with all my life.
Books were a great source of knowledge and advice ..some practical..others just ridiculous and coming from a culture that is vastly different. But God uses life to train us and mold us. Thru His word and the power of the Holy Spirit, God as my Abba has shown me His love and continues to every single day. With the love He has given me , He helps me to reflect on His example to me and that alone is more than enough inspiration and grace in loving my own sons.
Too many people I've come across are trying to implement knowledge from books, seminars, conferences on their children. They wonder why their kids are not responding in obedience. Too many parents employ logic and "opinions" and suggestions from what they read, watch and hear but forget to do one thing...Love their children.
Ma! how did you bring me up? Oh by this book or thru that seminar. Kids rebel and become bullies because obedience is demanded and if not ROTAN (punishment). No wonder many adults today detest authority because at home they detest the only authority that makes the difference-Parents. Bullies are bred at home by how their parents treat them and relate to them.
Open your hearts to God's love. He loved you first. He never demanded but loved you first. A love that is faithful and long suffering. When I opened my heart to God after many years of serving God (ministry)---go figure ! ...He helped me to realised wow ! His love is so awesome. Even when I stumble, He still loved me. God never fail to let me know He just loves me. So how I can I love my children other ways ?..can because I am human being and weak. but I never fail to hug my kids, tell them I love them..show it in ways like giving them my time, money, toys and best of all affirmation.
God had to change me first...remember kids are not a burden but they are just mini you and me.
Below are just some FB statuses I've put on my FB page recently..Hope you'd be blessed !
Love you kids, with the love Abba loved you.
1. PARENTING in GRACE
a. God never demanded obedience. He always shows us His faithfulness and love in our lives. When we learn to accept His love is irrevocable and boundless..our Abba, its no longer obedience to an authority figure but to Heavenly Father who loved us first.
b. When a parent demands obedience from their children, children will rebel and will eventually hate that relationship to an authority. They will see their parents as bullies and they in turn bully others. But when children are loved and they know it, obedience is given...Love you kids they are no burden.
c. One thing God opened my eyes this year to is how a couple who runs a community tuition ministry may not have the best methods, am very strict but because they love the 40-50over kids ..the kids did so well in their exams this year not because of the methods or the rotan sometimes but because they know they are loved...love breeds hope and faith.
with luv 12/12/13
Edwin Koh
