Why God Gave You Parents on Purpose

Hey carpool crew, whether you're sitting in the car still waking up or already asking for a snack, I'm Pastor Justin and I'm so glad you're here. Today's episode is all about the people who probably told you to brush your teeth this morning. Your parents. Now, I know sometimes it feels like parents are just rulemaking or reminder machines, but guess what? God gave you your parents on purpose and not just to make sure you eat your vegetables or brush your teeth. They're here to help you grow. Now I probably hear a couple parents saying amen. Because parents want to help you grow. They wanna help you succeed. Today's verse is from Proverbs chapter one, verses eight and nine. Here's what it says. Listen, my son, to your father's instructions and don't reject your mother's teaching. This verse comes from the Book of Proverbs, written mostly by King Solomon, one of the wisest people in the Bible. Proverbs is like God's instruction manual for wise living. There's 31 proverbs. And guess what? There's no more than 31 days in a month. You could read a proverb every day of the month to grow in wisdom. Now, back in Bible times, kids didn't have schools the way we do today. Instead, their parents taught them what they needed to know, not just about math or reading, but about how to live with wisdom, kindness and love. Solomon is saying something really important. Don't roll your eyes at your parents. Listen to them because they're teaching you how to grow strong and wise. If Jesus were in the car with you right now, I think he'd say something like, your parents aren't perfect. Amen to that. I'm a parent. I'm not perfect, but I gave them to you for a reason. They love you and they want to help you become who I made you to be. Jesus had parents too, by the way. He listened to Mary and Joseph. He learned from them. He obeyed them. He actually became a carpenter like his earthly father Joseph, not because they were always right, not because they were the coolest, not because they let him break all the rules because he was Jesus, but because he honored them, because that's what God asks us to do. So what does it look like to live this out as school is starting up soon? When your parents tell you to pack your bag the night before, do it without complaining. If they remind you to be kind to your siblings, take a deep breath and try. When they say no to something you want, trust they're trying to help you grow. Say thank you for the things they do every day, like making your lunch or helping with your homework. Listening isn't always easy, but when you do, the Bible says it's like wearing a crown. That's what wisdom looks like and God chose your family for a reason. Your parents might not always get it right, but when they teach, guide and care for you, it's part of God's good plan to help you grow up wise, kind, and strong. So look at your parent, say thank you. Because God wants you to be wise. Remember, no matter where you are or how you're listening, God loves you. Parents, if you love today's podcast, text the link to a fellow parent who you think might enjoy listening to it as well. Before you go answer this question together, what's one thing your parents ask you to do that you could see as a gift, not a chore this week? I'll see you tomorrow on another episode of Carpooling with Jesus.