Step Out by Rick Morange

Ph0to: Rick Morange and his daughter, Mandilee


The purpose of this writing is to hopefully instill a new (and perhaps different), level of responsibility and concern in parents.





Because I am a "DAD," I have some experiences regarding parenting, but do not claim any special knowledge or expertise. Therefore, if this column is a blessing to anyone, then we must give all the glory to God.





My hope and prayer is that some readers will re-think their responsibilities as parents, and possibly prioritize their life a little differently. Who am I to address these issues? Just a father, teacher and coach. One who also happens to be a Christian, and believes that all of us need the Holy Spirit to guide and help us as parents. Enough about me.





What does God say?

In Proverbs 22:6, He says "Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it."





What a wonderful thought. God gives us a prescription for ultimate success for our children! (Notice he also leaves time for some mistakes along the way to getting "old"!)





Indeed, He loves us so much, that He KNOWS we can't do it alone ---and in this era of single parenting, most of us would acknowledge we need a little help, right?!





So we begin with instilling the love of God into their hearts and souls. Maybe it's just an extra hug, a surprise quick-trip to play their favorite game, or perhaps we just LISTEN to them. (I know I have a long way to go on the last one!). After all, the gift of our TIME means so much more than anything else, and "training" takes time.





Is there more time we can find for our children? Perhaps.

And, do we openly pray with our children? God wants us to do just that! He wants us to let THEM know that He is there in our lives every day---and in theirs! God will teach us these things, as we guide and teach our precious little ones. What a tremendous and wonderful responsiblitiy we have been given!

The Bible also says in I Corinthians 13:2. "And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. "





Such strong words from our God--that we could be seen as NOTHING! Yet, that is only possible if we do not LOVE, and certainly when we have Jesus in our heart we MUST love!





The Lord ends I Corintians 13 with the following. "And now abide faith, hope, love, these three, but the greatest of these is love."





What a wonderful prescription for ALL of us. The importance of Love cannot be understated. God is perfect love --and He wants to teach us His ways to love. If we are open to the Holy Spirit, and His word, there will become no limit to the ways we can love our children, and demonstrate that love to them. (I love to reflect on ALL of I Corinthians 13, and certainly suggest reading it in it's entirety!)

In closing, please allow me to pray with you.





Heavenly Father, you ARE the King of Kings, and the Lord of Lords. Teach us your ways, so that we can spread your amazing love to our children. We are all yours Father God, and we ask you to give us open hearts to hear your word, and your voice, so that our children may live their lives knowing you. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.



May God Bless You and have a wonderful day with your greatest earthly "gift" - your children.