Passing the Baton

As any hands-on parent will be quick to admit, it is not an easy road when it comes to raising children.  When he is born, the child looks so innocent and adorable, and he is fully dependent on his parents.  At that point in the parents' lives, it is difficult to imagine that this same child will change over the years to become more and more independent.  His sinful behaviour will be more and more pronounced, and if not nipped in the bud, will bring despair and heartbreak to the parents.

During the first year, there are so many milestones that he will reach.  For the parents who are heavily involved in the bringing-up of the child, it is a joy when they see him grow.  Each milestone crossed is a celebration of life.  And yet, when they see the child test the boundaries given to him, it is also a time of discipline and this may be a time of contention and sorrow.

Yes, there is a balance to parenting.  On one side of the balance is love.  The child must be loved and he must feel loved.  On the other side is the fear of authority.  This fear is not the fear that will drive the child away from abusive parents but fear that makes the child ultimately realise that there is a higher authority than his parents - One who loves him yet demands obedience from him.

Parenting is also a process of passing the baton i.e. it is the passing of good values from generations to generations.  For the Swallow and her mate, it is the passing of Christian values and beliefs to her young ones.  It means a lifetime of living for Christ and not for oneself.

Deuteronomy 6 : 7 (NKJV)
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.

From the verse, the Swallow acknowledges that it is a 24/7 task to be a parent.  How will she and her mate balance between love and discipline (fear of authority)?  To love without discipline is to be permissive.  To discipline without love is to be authoritative.  Neither scenario will help their young ones.  Thus, it is with gratefulness to her Lord that He has promised to be with them, to be their Guide, to provide them with all that is necessary to handle the task of bringing up their young ones.

2 Corinthians 12 : 9 (NKJV)
And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness."  Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.