What’s That on Your Forehead?

And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength.  And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today.  Repeat them again and again to your children.  Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.  Tie them to your hands and wear them on your foreheads as reminders.  Write them on the doorposts of your house and your gates.                                                    

Deuteronomy 6:5-10

Hmmmm…….

I know what this means in the history of the Biblical time it was written, but seriously?  In the 21st century?

Well, come, follow me for a second…

It was one of those quiet, peaceful evenings when you are just enjoying the company of the loved ones around you.  My husband and I had made a 13 hour trip to deliver a piano to our son and his family.  That evening my son slipped away and began quietly playing and singing worship songs.  Until I heard the soft, soothing strains of the keys from the other room, I didn’t realize just how much I had missed hearing him sit down and play “at home.”  It was not long before I tip-toed into the room and sat worshiping silently on the couch behind him.  Soon my one year old grandson toddled into the dimly lit room and put his arms up to his father, wanting to join him at the piano.  Without hesitating, my son stopped what he was doing, scooped his son up and placed him on the bench beside him.  For the next few minutes they played the piano together — the father’s tender praises blending harmoniously with the son’s free exploration of the ivory keys to make an inspired harmony of patience and love.  Suddenly, as toddlers are known to do, Matthew finished his concert, hopped down, and ran into the room to play with his mother and grandpa.

For a few minutes Kyle returned to his sweet worship songs, but every time Matthew returned to join his father at the piano, he was welcomed openly.  This pattern continued several times.  Kyle never once said, “Matthew, this is how you praise and worship God.  Watch me and learn.” Or, “Matthew, see how I am being patient with you?  I am teaching you about the character of God and how He wants you treat others.”  That wouldn’t make sense – especially with a one year old.  But Kyle is very clearly teaching him by the way he lives and by including Matthew in those experiences with him.

I don’t know what went on in the other room when he was with his mother, but I have seen them interact enough to know she practices unconditional love, tenderness, and patience.  Together his parents provide a home environment where he can grow “in wisdom and stature and favor with God and man.”  The provide all the physical, spiritual, and emotional tools and experiences he will need to learn about and develop his own relationship with his Savior.  Whether it be reading to him, playing with him or simply cuddling him, they are practicing Deuteronomy 6.  When they talk to him and model proper speech, they are fulfilling the command God gave them as Matthew’s parents.  As he grows, their methods will change, but their goal will remain the same;  “that they, their children, and their grandchildren would fear the Lord as long as they live: and in fearing Him, they would know Him, and in knowing Him, they would give themselves to Him, and giving themselves to Him they would have a loving, intimate relationship with Him and in turn share that love with their children, their community and their world.

I couldn’t help but smile as I remembered the sweet scene of my son and grandson sitting side by side at the piano. . . .

What about you?

How do you put Deuteronomy 6 into practical application with your children?

“What does your life teach your family about God?”