Who's Speaking into your Child?

One of the great privileges as a parent is having a conversation with a grown child. Both of my boys are now young adults; I am challenged and blessed by their independent thoughts concerning their relationship with the Lord, personal relationships, politics, etc. My wife and I dedicated ourselves to speaking Truth into lives for the past two decades. I would like to share with you something that I had to learn not to let irritate me.

On a few occasions, one of the boys would come home to share a profound insight concerning life that he had just learned from a teacher, coach or youth leader. As I listened to his excited description of this new found knowledge, I would begin to feel angry because his mother and I have been telling him the same thing for years. As my blood boiled, the Holy Spirit reminded me that this is how He works:  “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase” (I Corinthians 3:6-7). I had to stop and say, “thank you, Lord; my son gets it.” I am truly thankful for men and women that speak into my sons’ lives every day.

The impact of Christian education on my sons runs deep into their heart and mind. I cannot put a price tag on the significance of that investment. I know what I desired for my boys to know about life, purpose, gifting, leadership, and service based on their identity in Jesus Christ. I am beyond thankful for the teachers, scout leaders, Sunday school teachers, and youth leaders who desired the same thing for my boys. These men and women spoke into and modeled these Truths to my sons; and their influence is enduring. Who is speaking into your child?

Note: Thank a teacher with week – it is National Teacher Appreciation Week!!