Morning Devotion Snippet:Points to ponder upon

Parents and teachers, in taking the responsibility of training these children, do not feel their accountability before God to become acquainted with the physical organism, that they may treat the bodies of their children and pupils in a manner to preserve life and health. Thousands of children die because of the ignorance of parents and teachers. Mothers will spend hours over needless work upon their own dresses and those of their children to fit them for display, and will then plead that they cannot find time to read up and obtain the information necessary to take care of the health of their children. They think it less trouble to trust their bodies to the doctors. In order to be in accordance with fashion and custom, many parents have sacrificed the health and lives of their children.

To become acquainted with the wonderful human organism, the bones, muscles, stomach, liver, bowels, heart, and pores of the skin, and to understand the dependence of one organ upon another for the healthful action of all, is a study in which most mothers take no interest. They know nothing of the influence of the body upon the mind and of the mind upon the body. The mind, which allies finite to the infinite, they do not seem to understand. Every organ of the body was made to be servant to the mind. The mind is the capital of the body. Children are allowed to eat flesh meats, spices, butter, cheese, pork, rich pastry, and condiments generally. They are also allowed to eat irregularly and between meals of unhealthful food. These things do their work of deranging the stomach, exciting the nerves to unnatural action, and enfeebling the intellect.

Parents do not realize that they are sowing the seed which will bring forth disease and death
Many children have been ruined for life by urging the intellect and neglecting to strengthen the physical powers. Many have died in childhood because of the course pursued by injudicious parents and schoolteachers in forcing their young intellects, by flattery or fear, when they were too young to see the inside of a schoolroom. Their minds have been taxed with lessons when they should not have been called out, but kept back until the physical constitution was strong enough to endure mental effort. Small children should be left as free as lambs to run out of doors, to be free and happy, and should be allowed the most favorable opportunities to lay the foundation for sound constitutions.

Parents should be the only teachers of their children until they have reached eight or ten years of age. As fast as their minds can comprehend it, the parents should open before them God's great book of nature. The mother should have less love for the artificial in her house and in the preparation of her dress for display, and should find time to cultivate, in herself and in her children, a love for the beautiful buds and opening flowers. By calling the attention of her children to their different colors and variety of forms, she can make them acquainted with God, who made all the beautiful things which attract and delight them. She can lead their minds up to their Creator and awaken in their young hearts a love for their heavenly Father, who has manifested so great love for them. Parents can associate God with all His created works. The only schoolroom for children from eight to ten years of age should be in the open air amid the opening flowers and nature's beautiful scenery. And their only textbook should be the treasures of nature. These lessons, imprinted upon the minds of young children amid the pleasant, attractive scenes of nature, will not be soon forgotten.

Source:Testimonies to the Church,Volume 3,Chapter 14:Proper Education

What God is teaching me about godly parenthood

I am currently reading Child Guidance by Ellen White and I can conclude:

-There's one out of 30 parents who is training her children for heaven according to the way God would have the children trained.Children only get to hear about God in family worship.God is not the subject in the home,even in Christian homes and His principles are not entirely governing factors in the home;hence we see children who are born with Christian parents going astray-they have not led to understand who God is and what are his requirements because the parents themselves aren't converted.
-It is the devil's trick to make parents think that are to start teaching their children about God when they are around 7 or so;by that time the devil has placed his stamp upon them.The training of the child should start from infancy and they are to be taught by words and example daily.
-It is a sin to neglect raising your child in God's ways.Parent's first priority isn't putting food in the table;but training their children so that they accept Jesus as their personal Saviour while young and if properly trained,by the age of 7 or so they can be Christians.
-God will help every sincere parents who have the desire to raise their child(ren) in his ways;but he will not play their part.
-Most terrible acts such as murder,rape,robbery etc are to a certain extent the result of neglect in training up the children;but we also examples in Joseph,Samuel,Daniel and his friends of children of the fate of children whose parents have made it their priority to raise them in the Lord.
-Mothers have a great work to do and sadly only a few realize their responsibility and sadly many have neglected their first and foremost duty-mothers are to work for their salvation of their children.
-Parenthood needs repentance-it is only when the parents themselves are repented that children can be drawn to Christ-children need to see the spirit of Christ in action-love,kindness,humility,industry and more;but sadly in most houses arguments,harsh words etc are the order of the day YET these families have the thought that they will make it to heaven-if we cannot live peacefully and in harmony and are governed by God's law,heaven is not a reality
-It is evil and a sin for parents to let children have their way;this is preparing them to be selfish individuals and ruined,leading to eternal loss
-Parents should raise their children in an environment that is conducive for purity of heart and mind-that is,they are not see,hear,read that which is contrary with the principles of God

If we want to see better churches filled with people who SINCERELY love the Lord and are governed by every word spoken by God,then parents are to be study the Word of God earnestly and apply it in their lives first-so that their children can learn by word and actions.

As the youth we need to look beyond the wedding day and think of the children we'll raise-whether they will be fitted for heaven and serve God faithfully.We need to prepare now because parenthood requires converted parents who will lead their children by example.

"The law of God is the foundation of all enduring reformation. We are to present to the world in clear, distinct lines the need of obedience to His law. The great reformative movement must begin in the home. Obedience to God’s law is the great incentive to industry, economy, truthfulness, and just dealing between man and man."15Letter 74, 1900./Child Guidance,p489

“The Lord is not glorified when the children are neglected and passed by.... They require more than casual notice, more than a word of encouragement. They need painstaking, prayerful, careful labor. The heart that is filled with love and sympathy will reach the hearts of the youth who are apparently careless and hopeless. Parents should seek to comprehend the fact that they are to train their children for the courts of God. When they are entrusted with children, it is the same as though Christ placed them in their arms and said, “Train these children for Me, that they may shine in the courts of God.” -CG,p488