Instant Messages by Cheryl Gradone 

Hidden Pictures

When my kids were early elementary ages I bought them a subscription to Highlights magazine.  One of the favorite sections of the magazines was the "hidden pictures" page.  They worked so hard to find the pictures that were on the margin.  Later on, I bought them several books of hidden pictures.  Page after page they searched for Waldo or a Roman or whatever the theme of the book was.  This occupied a good portion of time for them and made me very happy.  While this is just a fun kid activity, there is a lesson to learn from these "hidden picture" books.  On every page was a picture of what looked like millions of little people, buildings and cars.  The side of the page had the images to be found hidden within the picture. Sometimes these images were extremely difficult to find.  There were times when I had to help locate some of these hidden pictures.  Without the pictures on the margin, the search would be futile.  When you think about raising a child with a purpose and hoping they will grow to be a mature, God-pleasing adult, it is futile if they don't know what they are looking for.  How will they know unless a wise parent shows them what to look for?   There are currently a plethora of hot issues in our culture.  You might not know what to teach your child about these issues. Or worse, you might give them ungodly, unbiblical teaching.  Do you have understanding in what God teaches on these issues?  What hope can you find in the Scriptures to find confidence in God?  Are there any changes in your family life or family dynamics that need to be made?  Do you have a method for teaching God's commands or promises to your family?  Some topics that are vital for your child to understand from a biblical perspective are:  obedience, anger, fear, worry, revenge, lying, stealing, honoring parents, preferring others over self, foolishness, wisdom, forgiveness, reconciliation and others. How do you teach all of these to your child?  Every day you and your child confront these kinds of issues.  Every day is the time to be prepared to instruct your child when the issue comes up in real life situations.  Every day should have time devoted to searching out these issues in advance.  Your child should be prepared to respond, not react in life situations, being caught off-guard.  What can you do?  First, make a list (like the one above) and begin to search the Bible for Scriptures on these topics. (Helpful website:  www.Biblegateway.com)  After finding and making a list, look for a principle or command in them.  Think of common situations where you and your child can apply them. Pray for wisdom.  Train your child how to recognize opportunities or situations where issues of life will come.  Help them see!  They live in a hidden picture.  They need you to explain the list in the "margin" so that they can recognize the problems or opportunities they face and have confidence in God's way of dealing with them.  Another thing to do is read the Bible! (I read the Bible chronologically.).Talk about the Ten Commandments with your kids. This summer I was teaching my grandchildren the Ten Commandments, again.  One morning we got stuck on the one about not taking the Lord's Name in vain (a commonly accepted practice in and out of the Christian community).  The Holy Spirit illuminated the Holiness of God's Name to us.  We were all guilty!  We talked about the Sacredness of His Name; that His Name is for worship or for giving testimony, and for prayer, not as an explicative.  Now, if they say the Lord's Name in vain, they know they are sinning against the Lord.  Before the Bible study, they did not know it was sin!  It takes time, at least 18 years or so, to teach and pour in the beautiful teachings of God's Word.  But, it is for your child's salvation that you teach him how to please God. II Timothy 3:15, "From childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus."  If you will obey God, there is a reward:  blessing, peace, and joy, even in the midst of life's difficulties.  If you must, make the necessary changes in your schedule to prepare your child for life.  It's not an option, actually, it's a command. Ephesians 6:4 gives the command to parents:  "And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord".  And in Deuteronomy 6:6-7, "And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart.  You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up."  In the next weeks I will be walking through how to deal with the topics I mentioned.  My prayer is that you will be empowered by the Holy Spirit to raise your child up for the glory of God!