In reading about Josiah, I was hit with a few thoughts. Shall I put them in bullet points?! ;)
- He was 8 years old when he became king.
- He served God with his whole heart - he made a major effort to get rid of idol worship that had been his people's problem for many years and had triggered God's wrath.
- He died (was killed) at age 39.
- [I am 39 right now!]
- Josiah's son reigned in his stead. He was 25 years old when he became king (by my math, Josiah was a father at age 14!).
- Josiah's son did NOT do what was right and did NOT seek God.
I want to know WHY! Was Josiah somewhat of an absent father?? I've seen it in the ministry - that a pastor, for example, was too busy in the ministry that he neglected his own family. Is that what happened here?? The Bible names Josiah's son's mother - was she a major influence?? Did she not serve God with her whole heart- and if so, why would Josiah choose her or was she chosen for him?? Or was Josiah's son just rebellious because of bad decisions he made on his own, forsaking what he'd seen his father do?
It just kind of resonates with me because I am the same age as Josiah was when he died. Granted, I've had less time to influence my own children since I wasn't a mother until I was 27 years old ... but
It is sobering to think that even though I am attempting to serve God with my whole heart, my children will be responsible to make their own decisions about the Lord as they grow up. And all I can do then is pray. But RIGHT NOW I still have the chance to hopefully influence them and show them that God is REAL. And to pray that when my family's story is written that it will say I served God ... and that my children ALSO served God with their whole heart. That's the legacy I am praying for!
2 comments:
Hey... been a long time since I commented here, though I read your posts I don't always have the time to comment. Yeah, I have thought a lot about this whole thing. I raised my daughters in the ways of God and taught them how to serve God. They went to a Christian school all but one year. They had "Christian" friends, though many of them are not walking for the Lord now. Both daughters went through a period of falling away. I have seen this in many families. Some children come from really strong Christian families and some of the children end up living for the Lord and are strong and fruitful for the Lord and other children in the same family are unfruitful and may claim to be Christian, but not live that way. I think we've all see this happen. As a Mom, my job is to pray. After the girls came to a certain age, I could encourage and admonish, but praying was and is a must. Both girls are very sweet and giving individuals and one is much more on fire for the Lord than the other, but they have to make their own "peace with God". It's their decision and no matter how much I wish it, I cannot do it for them.
In raising children, the most important factor is consistency, honesty, and using the Word of God skillfully. Bathing all things with prayer.
When I first became a parent, I read a book on discipline... won't mention the title, but most Christians in the late '70's were reading the same, and though it had good tips for discipline, it lacked much in the application of Scripture.
My husband and I are reading a book right now that I so wish I had read earlier in life. It is called: "Changed Into His Image" by Jim Berg. A very worthwhile study for any Christian, parents, youth workers, teachers, pastors...
I just recommend it.
Yes, Christians can make mistakes when it comes to parenting, but God is greater than our mistakes and He does the work in the heart.
I really enjoy your blog. Hope someday we might get a chance to meet this side of eternity.
Have a great day.
Mrs. D
Great post Conny, I've always found Josiah fascinating.
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