Bible is the manual for parenting

THE EDITOR, Madam:

During the month of May, Mother’s Day, Child’s Month and Teachers’ Day are celebrated. Mother’s Day is the special when mothers are celebrated by their child/children and other loved ones. God has blessed mothers with an awesome responsibility, and when we execute it well, the joy we feel, words cannot express.

There is a common saying among many that there is “no manual” that comes with motherhood or parenting. Is this really so? The Manual is The Bible, Proverbs 22:6 (Good News Translation) reads: “Teach children how they should live, and they will remember it all their lives.” As a mother, I diligently teach my child godly values, such as truthfulness, honouring her parents, loving God above everything else: all this is from The Bible that I have been reading to her from she was a baby. Proverbs 19:18 (Good News Translation) reads: “Discipline your children while they are young enough to learn. If you don’t, you are helping them to destroy themselves.” These are words of Wisdom. You will never go wrong with loving discipline, for that is a sign of true love. My daughter is an adult now, and I can never be any more proud of her. She has her own ministry, she is chaste, she loves God and she tries her best to do God’s Will in her daily life. She has chosen to serve God because she knows that it is the best thing anyone can do for themselves. It is also ‘Child’s Month’, and I implore all mothers and fathers to give your children the best. Let them know who their Creator is, and His Will for their lives, and be a good example for them. You will never regret it.

The Book of Proverbs is full of practical wisdom of how God wants us to live. Proverbs 22:3 (Good News Translation) reads: “Sensible people will see trouble coming and avoid it, but an unthinking person will walk right into it and regret it later.” Children are told to “obey their parents, for this is the right thing to do. Respect their father and mother, which is the first commandment that has a promise added, so that all may go well with you, and you may live a long time in the land”. (Ephesians 6:1-2, Good News Translation) Children are to be taught by their parents that they must be faithful to their marriage partner, when they grow up and get married. Proverbs 5:1-4 (Good News Translation) reads: “Pay attention, my son, and listen to my wisdom and insight. Then you will know how to behave properly and your words will show that you have knowledge. The lips of another man’s wife may be as sweet as honey and her kisses as smooth as olive oil, but when it is all over, she leaves you nothing but bitterness and pain.” There is also a word for parents: “Parents, do not treat your children in such a way as to make them angry, instead, bring them up with Christian discipline and instruction”. (Ephesians 6:4, Good News Translation)

Praise and glory and honour be to the Almighty God, and Jesus, the Christ, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

SONIA FAY BUCKLAND