It’s not anyone else’s responsibility to raise your kids.
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I listened to a few different talks today, several by Elder Jeffery R Holland and one by his son, and recently sustained General Authority Seventy, Elder Matthew S. Holland, also President of the North Carolina Raleigh Mission.
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These talks made me reflect on my childhood and how I was raised. In one of Elder Jeffery Hollands talks, he recounted a time when he came home and made a big mistake. Instead of a softer approach, he took a different approach.
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I believe it was an approach he was destined to take. He may feel differently, but it allowed him to dream that night (which he said he never did). His eyes were opened, and he learned just how important his son Matthew was to him. He woke up in sweat and tears, and ran to his sleeping son.
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”There on my knees and through my tears I cradled him in my arms and spoke to him while he slept. I told him that every dad makes mistakes but that they don’t mean to. I told him it wasn’t his fault I had had a bad day.”
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Elder Matthew Holland told a story about muddy feet, and his mothers repeated warnings to stay off her floor; she was cleaning. Matthew forgot about her request and trampled through the home with dirty feet soon after.
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He went to his room and was worried about what would happen next; however, his mother came in, and he started the following, ”Mom, you don’t love me.” To which she replied, “I do love you, and I’ll do anything to prove it.” She then picked up my filthy, muddy feet and kissed them.”
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These stories reminded me that I have the sole responsibility, along with my wife, to teach our kids. It’s no one else’s responsibility. I can guarantee Elder Holland is proud of his son Elder Holland. Love your kids, and teach them to hear the Lord.
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Christ taught us how he learned.
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”Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.” John 5:19.
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Art work by Danny Hahlbohm