But Lord, This Armor Seems So Heavy....

Been thinking about this today:  "train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he shall not depart from it" It was recently brought to my attention by a friend that this is a proverb and not a promise.   (Proverbs 22:6)  This verse used to give much hope to me, and it still does, but from a different perspective.  Proverbs are principles but not absolute guarantees.  I am learning that if you try to turn the book of Proverbs into absolute promises, it will make your faith waver.  "A proverb is a general principle, that when generally applied, will bring a general result." (Adrian Rogers)    So, does that mean I no longer expose my children to God's Word and no longer live a life that models after Him?  Nope.  It means that I do what I can do to make sure my children know what God's Word says about things and keep my heart in check to honor Him in my choices.  Ultimately our children have to make their own choices and we can't let it affect how we view Christ when they drift away from what we know to be true. 

We need to remember that even the hardest trying human parents are still raising human children. Even the most excellent parents can endure challenging hardships in their homes.  It doesn't mean they are doing it all wrong.  In fact, it could very well mean they are doing it absolutely right but the devil is conniving and looks for that weak link in which to get a foothold.  Sadly, people will judge when this happens, exalting themselves with puffed up pride when they gossip about how "so and so's children really went off the deep end.  Too bad so and so didn't raise them more strict."  You know, when our children do grow up to honor God with their hearts and lives, it isn't because their parents were strict.  It isn't because their parents were on the honor roll with God.  It is because of grace.  Grace alone.  My children are going act up.  My children are going to act out.  My children are, at times, going to embarrass me.  It is what I choose to do when those things happen that make all the difference to the cause of Christ. 

So, that being said, I am so thankful for my prayerful friends who lock shields with me, creating a hedge of prayer around me to help me quench Satan's fiery darts....darts of hopelessness, heartache, anger, and so forth.

Keep on, my friends.  Rest in His promises.  Regardless of what happens in the future concerning our children, if we have taken the time to guard our own hearts and done what we truly knew to do, it will not return void.  We will grow in grace.  We will be molded as the clay pot in the potter's hands, to be fit for His use. 

Ephesians 6:10-18 is what we need to pray daily in this journey called life:
¹⁰ Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
¹¹ Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
¹² For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
¹³ Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
¹⁴ Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
¹⁵ And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
¹⁶ Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
¹⁷ And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
¹⁸ Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;