A Concert on the Way to School
Thursday, May 10, 2012 at 12:47PM 
A common scene in our home:)As I drove to school this morning, I heard the mousy voice of my 3-year-old daughter sing these words in the back seat, "Shout for joy, see what God has done; He has come for us, He's the Saving One." And of course, my son was in the seat next to her with his drumsticks playing right along as Lincoln Brewster lead the tune from the radio.
When these types of words come from the mouths of my kids, it makes me happier than just about anything else. As a dad, I naturally want them to grow up to be successful adults who have great careers and live comfortably. However, much more than that I want them to love Jesus. That is so much more valuable than the name of the college they attend, the company they work for, or the brand of car they drive. I want them to learn that those things won't make them happy unless they have the Giver of joy inside of them.
For me, this is just a focus issue in our home. What is really important in the raising of my children? Is it buying them the nicest and most expensive things? Is it making certain that they never fail or are damaged by disappointment? Is it getting them involved in a million-and-one things until they are so busy that they don't even remember what their first name is? Or...is it taking the time to focus our family on God. Our relationship with Him is what lasts and has the power to strengthen us and keep our family vital and full of life. As my children one day grow up and leave home, the things I bought them will mean very little, but the love for God I have modeled and taught will be with them for a lifetime. It will set them up for a life of blessing in Him.
This verse from God's Word came immediately to mind this morning when I heard my sweet girl in the car this morning: 3 John 1:4- "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth." I pray constantly that when I am old and gray that I will have children who are walking with the Lord...I already have a few grays, but don't tell anyone:) I also pray for them to be successful and happy in their lives, but that is secondary. As a parent, my greatest responsibility is to raise kids that will become Godly adults. I won't see the fruit of that for many years, but the days when I get worship concerts in the car are definitely encouraging ones.