Shabbat Shalom!

I hope everyone is doing well, and settling into the Shabbat rest (I know I am!).

Here in our household- we’ve been having a blessed week, in the middle of a blessed summer. There’s no greater joy as a parent than doing summer with your kids – all the awesome activities, learning experiences, and joy that is had in these sun-filled days. Praise Yah!

I thought I’d share some thoughts about children with you all. This is for those who have children, or are involved in caring for any children; as well as for those who have no children, or are not involved in caring for children- (because Yah instructs us to be like children!).

In 1Chron 28, David is addressing all of Israel’s leaders and main people. It’s a gathering in front of hundreds if not thousands of people.

He explains why he is not to build the house of God and then goes onto explain that Yah has chosen Solomon to be the next king and to build the temple:

“Now He said to me, ‘It is your son Solomon who shall build My house and My courts; for I have chosen him to be My son, and I will be his Father. Moreover I will establish his kingdom forever, if he is steadfast to observe My commandments and My judgments, as it is this day.’ Now therefore, in the sight of all Israel, the assembly of the LORD, and in the hearing of our God, be careful to seek out all the commandments of the LORD your God, that you may possess this good land, and leave it as an inheritance for your children after you forever. “As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a loyal heart and with a willing mind; for the LORD searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever”. (1Ch 28:6-9)

In verse 9, David instructs Solomon to serve Go with a loyal heart, a willing mind, and with the intent of his thoughts. 

We often talk about loving Yah with our heart, soul, mind, and strength- but rarely do we talk about serving & submitting to Yah, in terms of a loyal heart, a willing mind, and our mental intents.

What does it mean to have a LOYAL HEART?

When we think of loyalty we may think of loyalty to a political party or sports team even when they lose, loyalty to a friend when they are going through a rough time, or loyalty to a spouse in abstaining from improper interactions with others.

What does loyalty mean to Yah though?

This term, “loyal”, is actually translated as perfect, complete. A heart that is made ready, is at peace,  is quiet. I find the word of God so beautiful, that our English words cannot encompass the full meaning of what Yah wants for us! A heart a peace. A complete heart. Nothing lacking, not warring against itself, not pulled in two directions.

One lesson I quickly learned in life is that we are missing something. By ourselves, without our Father, we are lonely, we have a gaping hole inside us that needs to be filled. And over the years no matter how I tried, I could not fill it with people, things, experiences, or accomplishments. The only thing that satisfies, is feeding God’s word, ways, and love.

How do we teach our children and ourselves to do this? To fill the empty hole with Yah? How do we teach our children to have a heart that is at peace?

“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” (Matt 6:24)

It is impossible to let your desires be both for worldly things and spiritual things, and accomplish both.

For example: If you want to be a doctor, and spend all your time, efforts, and money on this goal- leaving out bible study, developing Godly relationships, ignoring the Sabbath…. that is what you will get. There is no “balance” when it comes to true priorities. Either God is first or He is not. A quote I like to use is “you can’t be kind of pregnant”, you either are or you aren’t.

So how do we keep our children from having a heart that is at war with itself, that is not peaceful? Teach them to put Yah before all else. To respect less worldly accomplishments and endeavors, and favor more the pursuit of a Godly life. If we do not start this when they are young, like many that are amongst us today, chances are this will be a hard concept to learn come the teenage years or college. David tells his son to have a loyal heart in order to serve his Maker, not a loyal heart to serve the world.

What does it mean to have a WILLING MIND?

This means to take pleasure in, to desire, to delight in.

I often hear stories of people who were children during the mid and early 1900s of being drilled on scriptures, writing, and memorizing. None of their memories are fond. If we make God’s way a chore, if we make it unenjoyable, how much of a willing mind do you think our children will have to serve Yah? How much of a willing mind do we ourselves have to serve Yah when we view it as a chore?

Throughout Psalms, in the book of Job, in Jeremiah, in Romans- we all see great people of faith exclaiming that the law and Yah’s commandments are a joy and delight to them.

“For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.” (1John 5:3)

Clearly here is our instruction not to put mundane tasks on our children (or ourselves) that will turn them away from wanting, and desiring Yah’s ways. We should be avoiding having scripture repetition or strict studying done as a form of consequence. If Yah’s way is seen as a punishment, how willing of a mind are we going to have about it?

How can we make the Path of Righteousness delightful and pleasant to our children? How can we make it delightful and pleasant to ourselves?

First, we need to add emotion into our teaching and understanding of Yah’s way. It should invoke excitement, love, and passion. The historical stories are full of joy, action, sadness, anger, mystery, and suspense. The study of God should not be boring or observe past events as dusty and hard to read. As adults we can make these colorful and full of life to inspire the imagination and thoughts of the children. 

Similarly we ourselves need to look at the future implications of Yah’s way with excitement and anticipation. There is nothing wrong with letting our imagination occasionally roam to what might be in the millennium and beyond.

The study of and interaction with creation around us can also do a great deal in making The Truth enjoyable. A beautiful sunrise, listening to the bird singing, walks, hikes, paddles, or just the study of biology and all the wonderful intricacies of Yah’s handiwork can be inspiring and thought provoking.

Another way of adding pleasure and desire to serving Yah, is by making rewards for doing good or achieving study goals. Worldly schools, sports, careers, and other factions all have material rewards for following the less-important path. Why not reward our children and ourselves for doing the right thing? Why not set goals and recognize spiritual accomplishments?

All of these things can attribute to having a willing mind in serving Yah, and to make His way NOT burdensome for us & children.

What does it mean to serve Yah with the INTENT OF OUR HEART?

The word intent here is defined in Hebrew as “purpose”.

When my wife and I were first married, we went through a program together called “Growing Kids God’s Way” (a great resource for parents, check it out if you’ve never heard of it). One of the main concepts that was stressed was teaching children WHY to do things, not just doing them because they were commanded or instructed.

Children need a purpose. A purpose for their life, a purpose for their actions, and a purpose for their training. David says the intent of our thoughts should serve Yah (aka – that’s the purpose!).

“Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.” (Prov 22:6)

How can this be true? Parents command one thing, and years later when the child is older they are still doing the opposite. Could it be because the WHY, the MOTIVE, the REASON behind the action being taught is not discussed? The actions and habits we teach them need to have a meaning, a goal.

Similarly we ourselves need to be viewing the laws we follow as more than laws, but as actions that fulfill a purpose.

When was the last time you looked up the purpose of the Sabbath, is it more than a command to you? How about the command to not eat unclean meat? Do you know what the purpose of that law is? Are we serving Yah with just our actions, or with the intent of even our inner thoughts? Are we teaching our children to serve Him with purpose?

…

David stood up in front of an entire nation, turn to his son, and taught him how to serve Yah. What an example for us today as we raise up Yah’s future children! What an example for us as we ourselves are one of Yah’s children!

Do we instruct our children to have a loyal heart? One that is at peace and not warring with itself- one foot in the world and one foot out? What are the priorities being taught? What are the priorities we ourselves seek?

Are we instructing our children in a way that brings about a willing mind, one that finds pleasure and has desire in learning Yah’s way?  Do we take the time to make his way enjoyable and not burdensome on our little ones and ourselves?

Do our thoughts and actions have a purpose? Are we teaching our children the reasons why?

We should think on these things, so the Godly offspring in our families and fellowship will grow to be partakers of the Kingdom of God in the future!

Shalom!

Josh