“President Kimball challenged every family ‘to be on their knees… praying for their sons and daughters twice daily.’ … if we faithfully have family prayer, scripture study, family home evening, priesthood blessings, and Sabbath day observance, our children will know… (to become) prepared for an eternal home in heaven, regardless what befalls them in a difficult world. It is vitally important that our children know they are loved and safe at home.” ~Elder Quentin L. Cook, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles Ensign May 2015, p.64
Elder Cook is talking of structure that leads to great blessings. Our God is a god of order, without which chaos would prevail. If it seems we or this world are in confusion, that’s man’s doing not His! In the home, we show our love for our children when we teach them to respect others, starting with God and their own family. Children ‘running wild’ without discipline is not godly order in the home! They more easily feel God’s presence in their lives and are more inclined to follow His counsel when order prevails.
Such a pattern creates essential disciplines for individuals so engaged and often requires a change in the way we think. Change is resisted because some find more comfort in familiar chaos than the sweet alternative of following the Lord! How do we respond to teachings that could elevate and bless the whole family, when tired, when others even parents ‘don’t want to be bothered’? We make it a discipline to just do it anyway. We understand the way to any elevated destination is often beset with obstacles, especially at first (Satan will throw up all sorts of distractions to discourage and defeat.) Remember, when repentant, prayerful, humble in approach, and striving for Christ’s ‘agenda’ in our lives [always striving, having yet to arrive!], we can cast Satan out, when we sincerely and in the name of Christ, tell him to leave… then do things that displace his darkness and invite the light of the Spirit.
We can take comfort that we are on the right track when things later become worse again, Satan’s agenda of defeat, defeat, defeat…. Persist, persist, persist against that darkness by choosing that which always invites Christ’s light. When we sincerely try, consulting with the Lord often, moving one baby step at a time, we will have the Lord’s blessing and approval. When parents lead the way, inviting participation (not commanding it!) and have the Lord work with them, peace and upward change will come. kdm
