What if I told you that your parenting is missing something big? Like really big. Like a BLT sandwich without the B big. Like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with no bread big.
Many days I end up neglecting this part of parenting and I need to stop. You need to stop. We all need to stop neglecting this HUGE part of our responsibility as parents.
So, what is it?
Culture
No, not addressing culture out there, but creating culture in here.
Let me explain.
Tons of business books talk about this idea of creating a positive culture, a team-first culture, and so on. We think about it when we go to church. We talk about the environment of the children’s area. We think about the environment of our home when we have guests over for dinner. We think about all of these things, yet we tend to ignore the fact that our homes have their own culture. Their own environment.
I believe, it is our role as parents to create a positive, Christ-filled culture inside of our homes for our kids to grow up in. The environment of the home is the norm for your kids. What happens in your home is normal to them. Are you pleased with that or are you worried?[Tweet “The environment of the home is the norm for your kids.”]
Go to any other person’s home and you will know this to be true. If you grew up in a home where your parents never yelled and you visited a friend’s house where you witnessed yelling you would be a little unnerved. Yelling wasn’t normal for you. Or maybe it was and you visited a friend’s house where yelling wasn’t the norm. You, again, would probably be a little unnerved. It would be uncomfortable for you because the culture of your home was different.
Model the Intended Culture
If you want your kids to follow Jesus you should show them what that looks like. You should build the culture of your home around the fact that following Jesus is the best thing anyone can do.
Consider this: what are your priorities, as exhibited in your home? Do your actions model those priorities or do they contradict them?
What Do You Want Your Kids to Consider to Be Normal?
The biggest thing with creating a positive, Christ-filled culture in your home is to be intentional about it. Sit down and think about what you want your kids to consider normal to be and make a plan to make it happen. Do you want your kids to consider praying normal? You must pray with them, not only in your home, but also in public (simply pray before a meal when you go out to eat). Want to create a really cool culture in your home? When you go out to eat, before you pray, ask your server if you can pray for him or her in anyway. Don’t do it just to be an example to your kids, actually listen to your server and pray for them sincerely. What will happen is your kids will see your example and that will be normal to them.
This is Too Important to Neglect Any Longer
You leave a legacy, not by your intentions, but by your actions. You can set an example for your kids that will last their whole lives. This is best done through creating a culture inside your home. A culture that lifts Jesus up above everything else and that models grace every day. Don’t neglect this any longer. A right home culture can be the difference between your kids living for Jesus or not. Deuteronomy 6 gives us great insight to all of this:
5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 7 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. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.9 Write them on the door frames of your houses and on your gates.
In other words, make these commands to be a part of your life. Focus on them, teach them to your kids, talk to them about what God is doing in your life. Create a positive, Christ-filled culture in your home today. Don’t wait. It’s too important to neglect.
[Tweet “You leave a legacy, not by your intentions, but by your actions.”]
[Tweet “Create a positive, Christ-filled culture in your home today. Don’t wait. It’s too important to neglect.”]
