Multiply!

My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.  Proverbs 3:11-12

“Multiply!” That was Dr. Art McCoy’s response to a question about parenting in ways that will have a dramatic impact on our culture. I must admit it jolted my conscience in that I have had a narrow idea of what parenting entails. While, I would parent my two sons (now grown with near grown-up children of their own) quite differently now if given the chance for a do-over, still I’ve been thinking it was for a season. My parenting days are over. In his remarks before an all-ministry dinner for husbands and wives, Dr. McCoy spoke of the opportunities he has to “father” students in the Jennings School District where he serves as superintendent.

As is too often the case and for a plethora of reasons, many in his school district do not have a father and mother who are engaged in parenting. To fill in the gap, Dr. McCoy finds many opportunities on a daily basis to “father” these kids. In choosing his words carefully, Dr. McCoy did not use the words “teach” or “instruct” or “discipline.” He explained that while a teacher can present the rules, it has little effect unless the student knows you care about them. Care and affection can lead to real behavioral change.

In reference to Proverbs 3:11,12, Tim Keller made the same point: “The main job of parents is to teach their children about right and wrong, good and evil. But this must be done in an environment of mutual delight. A teacher can have a good grasp of the material but still create a harsh atmosphere in which the students will not really want to learn, even if out of fear they try.”*

Thanks to Dr. McCoy, I began to think about his challenge to us to “multiply!” God’s exact word in Genesis when He called us to “Be fruitful and multiply.” God didn’t give a season for being fruitful and multiplying. In fact, one of my favorite Scriptures is: They shall bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of sap and green. Ps. 92:14. Very likely, there is a young young person in my sphere of influence who needs some “parenting.” I’m quite certain this endeavor will surely pull me out of my comfort zone, but I also am convinced that God can create some “mutual delight” (as Keller puts it), and we will both be the richer for it.

As you think about the effectiveness of multiplying God-like parenting for this next generation, what opportunities do you have to offer the Father love of Christ to another young person?

*Keller, Timothy and Kathy, “God’s Wisdom for Navigating Life,” Viking, New York, N.Y., 2017, p. 273.