Your Children Need You!

Richard Hollerman

To say that your children need you seems unneeded—for surely every parent will know this. But do they? Do you?

We often find reference to the idea that a parent will guard with their life the well-being of their sons and daughters. Supposedly, they would be willing to lay down their life to save the life of their dear child. They will spare no expense and be willing to suffer themselves for the good of these dear ones who are so vulnerable. At least this is the popular conception. And, thankfully, there are some who do have such an attitude of self-sacrifice.

On the other hand, there are many exceptions—and it is even the rule—for there are vast numbers of parents who do not genuinely care for their children’s welfare as they should. Perhaps we need to give some pertinent examples of this assertion. Consider this:

First, most parents do not care about the spiritual welfare of their children. Increasingly, they are willing to allow their children to raise themselves and they refuse to give spiritual and moral instruction to their children. This is so very sad! And the coming years will show this. Alas, it will be too late for most of these parents and most of their sons and daughters. As Paul the apostle said, “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4). Do you do this?

Second, most parents care little about the nutritional needs of their children. Yes, they may give some semblance of interest but for the most part, they are willing to feed tasty but non-nutritious food and a wide array of “junk” food to their children. Why? Perhaps because of false and misleading “food” promotional. Perhaps because of taste. Perhaps because of lack of time. For whatever reason, most children in America (and probably around the world) are taught to eat non-nutritious fare; and this just begins habitual food choices that will stay with them through their lives! There are many different reasons for this lack of interest. But surely it will shorten the life of their children by many years!

Third, most parents are willing to place their children “in harm’s way” by allowing the worldly governmental schools to educate them. Sadly, it is said that some 90% of children are placed in the public schools instead of keeping them from the vast array of evils to which they are subject. In the public schools, they will be taught the fundamentals of secularism, humanism, evolutionism, pluralism, relativism, entertainment, sports, and other aspects too numerous to list. And most parents care little about this compromise! They probably even encourage and promote this attitude!

Fourth, most parents think very little about what God says about the family. Scripture gives the impression that the father and mother will have children without complaint. They are given the mandate to bear children, to raise those children, to instruct those children, and to protect those children. Instead, they are willing to place children two or three years of age before a TV (where at least 95% of the programming is immoral, Satanic and compromising), to be trained by these programs into the evil ways of the world. This is actually “child abuse” and it goes on and on to tens of millions of children. It will have an extensive effect for years to come!

Fifth, millions of parents are willing to separate and even divorce when they have children at home. Scripture presupposes that there will be a father and mother to guide the family and give comfort, support, and help to the children. Instead, many families in the United States and around the world are either raising themselves or divided so that the children do not have this guidance that they need.

We’ve recently become even more aware of the fact that young children are being raised by a single parent. The father might be gone, living with another woman. Or the mother may be missing, living with a different man. This is not at all what God intended (cf. Genesis 1:28; Matthew 19:3-12). But to chase after their own dreams and because they are unwilling to stay with the spouse they chose, families are divided, which forces children into two different homes. There are many reasons for this (such as death of one parent, etc.) but often the family disintegration comes from lack of interest and lack of love.

Sixth, often parents are willing to allow others to teach and train, to “baby-sit” and nurture, their children rather than teaching them diligently themselves. Scripture teaches that children are to follow the will of their parents: “My son, observe the commandment of your father and do not forsake the teaching of your mother” (Proverbs 6:20). How can they do this when at least one parent is gone? Statistics say that the majority of mothers now work outside of the home.

Sadly, they can do this for the government provides the schools to teach their children. If we rescue these sons and daughters from the worldly hands of the secular schools, mothers would need to stay home and educate their own children in the ways of God. Fathers too will guide in the education of their own children. But this will require a serious change of plans when mothers quit their jobs and stay at home. Many families may need to adjust their income downwardly because of this major change.

Of course, we could go on and on, but this does show that most American parents don’t really “love” or “care” for their children. It is mostly a verbal claim but, in reality, these families show by their behavior that they don’t really have a genuine love for their children that results in sacrifice, care, and interest in the welfare of all of these children.

Sadly, we think that most children of this nature will end up in drugs, in alcohol, in tobacco, in unmarried sex, in evolution, in materialism, in secular thinking, and much, much worse. Most children will turn from any semblance of God and go their own ways. And most children will live for themselves rather than live for Christ Jesus. Most will eventfully be sent to an eternal hell.

Father and mother, hopefully there is still time to change and to turn to God yourselves. Then hopefully you will be able to rescue your sons and daughters while there is still time. You need to reach those impressionable children “while there is hope” and before they become so set in their own worldly and willful ways.

Before you do anything, you need to get right with God yourself. If you have never come to Him, now is the time to seek Him through Christ Jesus. Then, having been born of God, you need to reach out to your children now. If they are five, or ten, you may find it much easier than if they are twelve, fifteen, or eighteen. But use everything you can to reach them while they are young and pliable. Now is the time!