The years fly by....but the days last Forever!
A Biblical Guide to Urgent and Intentional Parenting
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Being a Role Model to Your Children
"Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us." Titus 2:7,8
The 21st century parent has to compete with multiple sources of information in shaping the minds, values, and beliefs of their children. Unless we have a plan in place, our children will be out in this world without proper and adequate attitudes and mindsets. Parents are constantly being watched by their children from an early age on. Even when children become teen agers, they may not admit it, but their parents are who they will look to for wisdom and leadership. Modeling a life full of strong morals and values as well as developing healthy character traits are vital components for the parent to exude. Children need heroes, or role models, and are looking for older people to pattern their own life after. Here is the refrain of a song by the JJ Weeks Band that strongly resonates with me when I consider being a leader or role model for someone:
Let them see You in me Let them hear You when I speak Let feel You when I sing Let them see You Let them see You in me
That song is one of my favorites and on my way to work in the morning I sing it at the top of my lungs because as I enter into the "world" my desire is to show them Jesus. The song cries out that we are to take the attention off of ourselves and live our lives so that Jesus is seen. With all my heart I believe we, as parents, must show our children Jesus through our actions and ways! Modeling a Jesus-like life is an essential goal but we all know that He was perfect and the lives we lead are anything but. Paul says, I know what I want to do, but I always seem to do the opposite (Romans 7:18,19)! Even Paul struggled on a daily basis to be more like Jesus. So day in and day out we are before our children and we want to lead them to the future, so what can we do?
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About the Book
The Years Fly by … But the Days Last Forever! brings insight to parenting through the most influential and important book of all times: the Bible.
Daily assertions and comments are made regarding the state of our children today along with the disarray of the family unit, but hope should not be lost! Difficulties and struggles within the family unit are not recent developments—it’s just that now there is a greater number of people and more ways to hear about those problems.
James 4:14 asks, “What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” Choosing to raise your children in a manner that honors God is your responsibility, but this opportunity is fleeting and vitally important.
The Years Fly by … But the Days Last Forever! addresses such areas as:
• Discipline • Communication • Being a role model • Entitlement • Who we are in Christ
All children are a gift from God. They are innocent, adaptable, and deserve to be taken care of. The world is vying for their attention, but parents must be the ones who direct and guide their steps. Life is full of choices. I hope that reading this will assist you as you raise your children and convince you to the core that this is the most important “job” you will ever hold!
About the Author
Cathy Durrenberg comes from a long line of educators. She has worked as a teacher, an administrator, an adjunct professor, a school aide for multi handicapped students, and, in her most difficult job, a Mom.
In 2007, while completing her master’s degree from the Alliance Theological Seminary, Cathy was inspired by God to work with families—primarily with parents. Her mission is to empower and equip them to be the spiritual leaders of their homes. Cathy currently lives in Kettering, Ohio, with her husband, Jon. She has three adult children.