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bigmike

Planting a Life That Shapes Generations
“And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others” (2 Timothy 2:2).
An old Chinese proverb says, “If you want to reap a harvest in a year, plant wheat. If you want to reap a harvest in a decade, plant a tree. If you want to reap a harvest in a lifetime, plant men.”
The apostle Paul believed that. He told Timothy: “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others” (2 Timothy 2:2).
When it’s all said and done, is not this how a successful parent also teaches his children? A parent’s example, negatively or positively, goes far beyond anything which he says or teaches. It is not only our words which convey a powerful message, but the silent witness of our lives as well.
Think back with me of the people who influenced your life the most. The first to come to your mind would probably be a parent, most likely your mother. Most of what she said to you as a child has long escaped you, but it was her example, her life, which made you what you are. What of your teachers, or the pastor of the church in which you grew up? You remember little of the lectures or sermons, but you do remember the impact of a life, right? “I want to be just like him,” or “just like her when I grow up,” you said.
Today we talk about “positive reinforcement” as part of the teaching-learning process, but the life message of the teacher goes far beyond anything we could ever say or do.
I’m thinking of the young woman who told me how her mother strongly objected to her living with a male friend to whom she is not married. She said, “I don’t know why mother has any right to object. She spends weekends with her boyfriend.”
I’ve been drawn back repeatedly to what God expects of parents. When God gave the Ten Commandments, which are age-abiding principles of how we should live, He then gave direction to parents, who would be the ones to teach children how to live, how to apply these timeless guidelines. Moses, the leader of God’s people, said, “These are the commandments, decrees and laws the Lord your God directed me to teach you … so that you, your children and their children after them may fear the Lord your God as long as you live …” (Deuteronomy 6:1-2).
The greatest commandment, stressed Moses, is loving God, not as a duty or an obligation, but the result of understanding who He is, and as a response to His greater love for us. Then, said Moses, “These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up” (Deuteronomy 6:6-7).
The greatest gift that you as a parent can give to your child is that of a loving heart, a heart in right relationship with God, and from that loving life will come the values which shape and mold that child from infancy to adulthood.
A closing thought for you who are parents. If you were to write down the statement, “The impact of my life is …,” how would you finish that statement? How great is the impact of your life on your son, or your daughter? Providing food and clothing, or an education, is a shallow substitute for the gift of a loving heart and life.
There are some things that have no substitute, and a loving heart and a steadfast, consistent life are two of them. It’s easy to be a parent; it is tough to be a really good one. With God’s help, though, you can be a teacher who plants a life. And future generations will be blessed because of what you have done. Think about it.
Resource reading: 2 Timothy 2:1-7.

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