Part of influence is just spending time together. Today it involved being a ballet dad (no I did not dance!😆) and then being a “tickle tackle toes monster” in the pool. I would list all that Jen did as an influential parent, but I don’t have enough space in this devotional. She really does so much for our family!
The Bible book of Proverbs has some amazing advice for parents and really for all of us who want to follow God and influence others.
Proverbs 19:18 says, “Chasten thy son while there is hope, And let not thy soul spare for his crying.”
Influence requires correction at times (quite often when kids are young, hopefully not as often as they get older).
Verse 19 says, “A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment: For if thou deliver him, yet thou must do it again.
Wrath can ruin anything. Parenting (or any kind of influence or confrontation) that’s motivated by anger is rarely as successful as it feels in the moment. Anger breeds anger. While we probably all struggle with this at times, it’s better to do things out of love, wanting the best for the other person.
Verse 21 says, “There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.”
Above all, we need to influence our children and others toward the Lord.
Nobody is a perfect parent or a perfect person, but we can all influence others toward our perfect God.