the faithfulness of God

My Bible reading has been in I and II Kings recently. As each King is named the Bible often reads "He did evil in the eyes of the Lord," or "He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord." Often times the father went one way and the son went the opposite. We want to think if we do right, our children will do right as well, but it isn't always so. What makes the difference?
I read a verse in Deuteronomy 11:2 that says "Remember today that your children were not the ones who saw and experienced the discipline of the Lord your God." Throughout that chapter, we are reminded repeatedly that our children were not there to see the miracles of God or the discipline of God.
Have you shared with your children what your life was like before you received Christ? Have there been consequences of that life? Have you told them of the times, even as a Christian, when you blew it completely? Have you told them of the times you were disciplined by God?
Children need to know why we follow God's word. What has happened when we haven't followed God's plan? Our children need to know that we have experienced the discipline of the Lord and because of that we know beyond a shadow of a doubt that He loves us. He cared enough about us to allow us to experience His discipline.
I have learned that nothing we do is unforgivable, but many things are irreparable. We cannot undo a broken marriage, an abortion, or the loss of virginity. However, we can always be forgiven even though the consequences of our acts can seldom be removed.
Make sure you let your children know of the faithfulness of God.

"Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up" (Deuteronomy 11:18-19).

Marilyn Heavilin