Joel 1:2-3 Hear this, ye old men, and give ear, all ye inhabitants of the land. Hath this been in your days, or even in the days of your fathers? Tell ye your children of it, and let your children tell their children, and their children another generation.

Today’s Scripture reading reminds me of God’s desire for us to teach, train, and pass down what we know of Him and His ways to our children. And yet, this is not for our children only. We ought to live and give in such a way that our children desire to take those things which we’ve taught and given them, and pass them down to another generation, and even their children to another generation.

In context, God is admonishing His people to warn their children and grandchildren of the consequences of forsaking the Lord. There are serious consequences that affect generations to come. And today, might we not sugar coat it or “tip toe around the spiritual tulips” as my dad would say, but teach, admonish, and warn our children about the dangers of forsaking the way of the Lord. But might we also teach them what is the good way, and guide them to “walk therein”. Of course, this is as good for the parent as it is for the child!