A Parent's Artpiece

Being a parent is not easy. Not because of the amount of work and energy you need to take care of them but because of what you do with their lives, the people one shapes them to become. Of course energy and work is hard, but harder still is teaching a child the ways in which he or she should walk in. It's like slowly and lovingly creating a masterpiece stroke by stroke. The different colors and strokes all come together to form a beautiful artwork. The challenge is that every child enters he world as a blank sheet of paper. What the end picture looks like is in a certain sense thought out by the artist.

This blank sheet of paper has so much potential but the number of hours and effort needed to turn it into something beautiful is staggering. Every brush stroke, every twist of the handle forms another aspect of the child. But people being imperfect do make mistakes, accidentally damaging or staining the picture as they go along. Parents similarly make mistakes. These errors, if dealt with swiftly could be erased. However, there are some mistakes which are so damaging that they leave a mark on the artwork forever. These mistakes are both commissions and omissions. A stroke may go wrong both unintentionally and intentionally or neglect may cause the artwork to deteriorate. 

When I think of the responsibilities that parents hold, it scares me and yet leaves me in wonder. How one brings up a child determines the person he or she will become. Some may beg to differ as children do go astray from how their parents have brought them up to be. But a I listen to people share, I realise that even this "going astray" has to do with parents. From parents being overly strict, leading to rebellion, to parents not teaching their children about life, causing these young ones to make bad choices in life. I ask myself, would I be able to bring up my children well in future. Will I be able to ensure that they live lives that glorify and honor God? It's times like these that I feel so small and inadequate.

So how? How then can I ever be a parent? How can I teach my children about life and live out a good example? It''s tough.... very, very tough. But this I know, God's grace is sufficient. If I allow God to hold my hand as I paint, if I let God dictate how the artwork should look like, I know all will be well. When I make mistakes, I know my God will be able to help me rectify it. Every child is a blessing from Him. Every little baby is a gift. I know that God will give me the wisdom and knowledge to in a certain sense "handle/operate" His gift, my child/children will grow up alright. Most importantly, I need to continue putting God first and allowing Him to work in my own life now. As He shapes me to be the man He intends me to be, I know that it will be alright. I will be able to create a masterpiece glorifying my Maker. :)

Till next time!

Dennis