Freedom Is an Illusion as Long as You Don't Have to Pay Your Bills

"Freedom is an illusion as long as you don't have to pay your bills."

It's a reminder my wife Marilynn and I would say to our children when they told us they felt like our rules were too restrictive.

Typically, parents work to pay the bills while their kids grow up, learn about life, and attend school. But this paradigm can often lead children to take for granted the roof over their heads. Clothes on their bodies. Food in their stomachs.

Parents are called to practice diligence when disciplining their children (Proverbs 13:24). Fathers especially are called to "bring (children) up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord" (Ephesians 6:4).

Why is diligent discipline a display of Godly parenting? "Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from him" (Proverbs 22:15).

And real folly is when a child thinks he or she is free to do as they wish, when they don't pay the bills!

Parents, I would encourage you to have your kids read this Moment of Hope to you today - and regularly!