A Letter to Parents

Dear Parent,  

As we have studied and learned about Father Abraham, I hope you have seen the importance of both the protection and prepared actions we must take. There is the chance that you lean towards one of those areas more than the other, though hopefully, you see the importance of both.  

Over the years, I have come to appreciate the need for having a balance between these two important truths. While both are important to have individually, the benefit they provide to our kids and to our families only strengthens when used together. 

I am drawn to thinking about how much preparation connects with how we thought about the path and destination last week. The things that we should seek to put on our kids’ paths, or even on our family’s path, should be things that help to protect them. The Bible contains many references to protecting ourselves: the armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18), taking every thought captive (2 Corinthians 10:5), and guarding our hearts (Proverbs 4:23). These actions do not happen by happenstance, though, not for us and certainly not for our kids. Preparing our kids involves conversations and actions taken to know God and know God’s Word. We prepare our kids to battle the enemy and his lies, to stand strong in the world, and ultimately to live a life for Jesus when we teach them God’s Word and God’s ways. There are many good messages, podcasts, and books that aim to help us teach our kids, but the very best resource is the Word of God itself! 

Combined with preparation is also protecting our kids. We use wisdom about how and when we should have conversations. While ultimately, there is nothing wrong with the desire to protect our kids, the unfortunate reality is that we are incapable of protecting them from everything. In some cases, protecting our kids can actually hurt how prepared they are to face the world (and this is coming from someone who loves to protect!). We must come to the realization that the best way we can protect our kids and our families is to make sure they are prepared for anything they may encounter. Psalm 127:3 tells us, “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord.” These gifts that God has entrusted to us are precious and important, and it is within our role as parents to protect them, although we must also realize that, for all of us, our kids included, protection comes from the Lord.  

The Bible has many passages that tell us our deliverance and protection come from God. Psalm 46:1 says, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Psalm 34:7 adds, “The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.” These are two examples, though there are so many more! When we rest in knowing that God is sovereign, we know that He is in complete control no matter what troubles may befall us, and that our hope is in Jesus Christ.  

So, parents, do not be afraid to prepare your kid. God knew what He was doing when He blessed you with them (even if you do not always feel like you know what you are doing!). We keep coming back to the fact that we need God’s Word. Your kids need God’s Word.