To Raise Godly Children
by Michael Doyle

Time travels as shadows grow longer
And the need to be wiser is stronger
I look on my children and hope the best
I look for answers that might pass the test

As we raise our children for success
It's the long game and not how they dress
Directing them on the path to believe
When we do right, they will not leave

It's the promise that we struggle to keep
In happiness, and even in the tears we weep
We will walk this path with the Lord's grace
There is no comparison, only our simple traces

Those traces that we imprint on their souls
Though we know so much of it is out of our control
Nothing we do is meant to in any way deceive
We give our very best and dream as we believe

We can see this as it was lived out in Eli
And by his example, we can see and quietly rely
That it's about building in our holy worship
So much that we live within our relationship

We must provide instruction along with correction
To keep our children going in the right direction
There is a need for strong balance with authority
The best parents live these roles in their integrity

Time, attention, and affection give the quality
That is needed, however much we can afford quantity
It's in the fully being there in our presence
That matters far more than what we give as presents

Every step of the way is taken in this long game
Calling out the love with intention and by name
Speaking life and love, and holding our children tight
This is the way of setting our children's life right

As we travel life, we should not rush to the rescue
But holding our efforts back until God provides the cue
If we truly want to help build up their maturity
We must encourage our children to take on responsibility

The rules and the lessons of this needed responsibility
Help us raise our kids lifted with grace into integrity
This is the way we raise up as wise and not as fools
The path we walk best is one that instills clear rules

Clear expectations having fair consequences will trace
Lives well led and with consistency held firmly in place
This is how children learn to strongly hold forth and abide
In learning best how to life well life's long ride

We teach them to live righteously, walking God's way
As we teach them by example in what we do and often say
Echoes of our actions will show up in our children grown
And by what we did, and not just said, they'll be known

(c) May 19, 2024   Michael Doyle
All Rights Reserved