Happy-lu-ya!

After this I heard what seemed to be the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, crying out, “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God. Revelation 19:1

 

At dinner one night with my daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren someone brought some good  news to the table to which I responded, “Hallelujah!” My three year old immediately copied me, what came out of his mouth  was “Happy-lu-ya!” He had gotten the idea.

Moms and Dads have a solemn responsibility to raise their children in the fear and admonition of the Lord (Ephesians 4:6). Are we even aware of what we say when they are around? They are just as likely to imitate the negative influences as they are the positive.

Consider the Ten Commandments and think about how we might be influencing the next generation by what we say and the example we set in keeping them. It is eye opening.

The first commandment says that we are to have no other gods before our God. As young as ages two and three our children are fully aware of who and what is important to us. They have seen and are imitating our view of God. Does He have a priority status at home?

The third commandment is that we are not to take the Lord’s name in vain. Many Christians think that if they are not using the Lord’s name as a cuss word, they are doing fine with this one. But, how are the children hearing us address God? Do we use His name carelessly, “Oh God” for every small thing? We will know because we will hear it parroted back to us.

The fifth command is to honor our fathers and mothers. Would you and I want our children to honor us, in word and deed, the way we have demonstrated honor to our own parents?

I am sure you see the point, not just what we say, but what we do will be imitated. Our attitudes about marriage are passed on in the way we treat our husbands, our values about stealing, lying, coveting are passed down by the way we respond to just about everything. How are we talking when our children are around – and even when they are not?

Children learn what they live. As they listen to their parents talk, as they observe our actions and interactions with them and with others, and as they watch our reactions to every situation at least three things are happening:

1. They are learning our language.

2. They are adopting our respect – or lack of it – for God and others.

3. They are assimilating our world view into their lives.

These truths were driven home to me at dinner with the “Happy-lu-ya” response from my grandson.

Hallelujah is not a word we use frequently in our house but I am sure it wasn’t the first time he had heard it. He knows it is a happy word!

Our attitudes and behaviors are contagious. This time my grandson’s imitation was adorable, if I am not careful, next time it might not be so cute. I’ll spare you the examples.

Language, attitudes, and worldview. What a responsibility as we pass these on whether we are consciously trying to or not. As parents, we will be held responsible for the upbringing of our children before our Holy God.

We can pass on “Happy-lu-ya” or some less attractive things. What is coming out of our mouths that we really do not want to pass on to the next generation?