Day Ten- Guard Their Hearts

Parents do a variety of things to protect their children: childproof the home (inside and out), use car seats, monitor food and small toys for potential choking hazards, hold hands with the child when crossing the street, check references for childcare providers, teach “stranger danger,” learn first aid and CPR, etc.  But one of the most important things we need to be doing as parents comes from the book of Proverbs, chapter 4, verse 23:

 “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”

Just as our children are dependent on us for their natural needs, they also need us to guard their hearts.

What does that mean?  Many scholars consider the heart to be the center-most part of our being- body, soul (mind, will, & emotions), and spirit.  If we are going to guard their hearts, then we need to be aware of anything that would impact them in those areas.

Practically speaking, we need to be aware of what they are watching, listening to, and reading.  Who are their friends?  Where are they going and what are they doing while they are there?  How are all of these things affecting their lives?

And, just like our children grow to be more independent in taking care of their own natural needs, we need to be helping them learn how to guard their own hearts.  When they are little we guide them in making good choices, giving them more and more freedom as they grow to make more choices on their own, until eventually they reach the point that they can make appropriate choices all by themselves. 

Easy to do? No, not always.  Thank God for His grace that enables us to do that which He has called us to do.  Along the way I’ve learned that when I am diligent to guard my own heart, it is so much easier to help my kids guard their hearts. Like most things in parenting, it starts with us.  Fortunately, it’s never too late to start!