The Heart of a Homemaker | Teach What Is Good

The original post was written August 8, 2009 and can be found here.

".....teaching what is good......"

The next phrase of Titus 2:3-5 seems a little obvious at first, but when you start to think about it, it is not as easy as it sounds.

How many times do we know what the right answers to one of life's questions, problems, or situations are, but we choose not to do it (yes, I have been there, done that). So many times, we would rather not say what we know is right and good because we know that by acknowledging what is good and right we will have to make some changes in our own lives. And let's face it, no one likes changes that make us uncomfortable.

So what does good mean? Well, according to dictionary.com there are over 50 definitions. Here are some of the first few definitions given: morally excellent, virtuous, righteous, pious; satisfactory in quality, quantity, or degree; high quality, excellent; right, proper, fit; well behaved; kind, beneficent, friendly; honorable or worthy, in good standing, and the list goes on. I think you get the picture here.

Good is a high quality and high standard word. In our society, we have taken the word good to mean less than excellent, but excellent is exactly what the word means.

So, if we are to teach what is good, what does that mean for us?

We are going to look at this in two parts- today and next Tuesday, Lord willing.

We are to teach what is complete and right to those who we have platform before. For me that means Addie and Ian. I have to teach them godly morals and good behavior (I have to actively take part in that aspect of their education because they will not learn it on their own). In addition to sitting and teaching them from God's Word how they are to live, it also means, for us, being careful of what they watch (because children absorb everything they hear and see). They watch mostly Veggie Tales, Hermie, and educational DVDs that we have purchased, but they also get to watch some movies and shows from Disney Jr. and Nick Jr. Before deciding if the show is okay for them, I read the information, watch the show, look into the background of the movie, and/or sometimes I will call or text a friend with very similar standards to get their opinion on a movie.

Even with small children it is important for us to check that what is being put into their minds is good. There have been a few episodes of "our shows" that, for one reason or another, they have not been allowed to watch. Why? Because as their mother, there are things that I do not consider to be good for them.

Will someone else's idea of good be the same as mine? Maybe not. But as each of us spends time with God and asks Him for wisdom, He will show us as parents or caregivers what is good for the child(ren) in our care.