The armies of heaven are not a bunch of cry-babies blubbering over their hurt feelings!
Christian homeschooling parents must remember that we are raising soldiers of the cross of Christ.
Whenever I read a book or watch a movie about our brave Navy Seals I am greatly impressed by their valor and courage to be able to handle and resist extreme opposition forces. Few who enlist in this training actually survive the extremely rigorous training in order to graduate. Often their trainers yell, scream, and abuse them to check if they can be broken down easily or not.
I think it is sad that there are many Christian families who have not been trained by their parents on how to endure hardship as good soldiers.
2 Timothy 2:3, 4: “Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.”
Of course, we should kiss and cuddle our babies and little ones. However, as our children grow older, I don’t believe it’s appropriate to continue kissing and cuddling them for every little offense and problem that happens to them. Do we want them to grow up wimps or are training them to be soldiers of the cross?
Have you ever heard of a soldier in training being kissed and cuddled by his commanding offer for every little offence, slander, rebuke, or disagreement that hurts his delicate feelings?
People remain babies even in adulthood by moms and dads who are always sympathizing with their children’s feelings. Children who are raised like this are the chocolate soldiers of this world. They quickly throw in the towel. They quickly melt when the heat comes on.
There is no strong army in this world that could possibly win a battle, let alone an all-out war with chocolate soldiers who have weak constitutions. These delicate chocolate soldiers are best left at home to look after the flower gardens. Better not to enlist them because they do not have the stomach to take the hardships of life, let alone a battle.
There comes a time in the raising of our children when we must encourage them to toughen up, buckle up, stand up, and stop crying.
When our children grew older, I would tell them if they kept on crying because of a spank, they would get more spanks until they stopped their fussing. I was teaching them to face their discipline like a man. I cannot tolerate winging, whining, griping, complaining children who need to learn what it means to grow up.
To be continued.
Be encouraged.
Colin Campbell