Choosing relationships is a generational thing. It’s not just about you. Our children watch the kind of relationships, friends, and company we keep. We cannot have friends who encourage gossip all the time and expect our children to be different. Directly or indirectly they will replicate what they have seen. The people you have around you will inadvertently impact if you will operate at the sharpest cutting edge of your call and destiny likewise your children. Remember whatever affects you trickles down to your children; likewise whatever elevates you. If you don’t want to be blunt, Surround yourself with Sharp Irons. Simple!
Our friends won’t be exactly like us because they are not robots so yes there will be differences but the Centerstage has to be aligned. The big question you should be asking is – Is our heart beating for the same thing? Is Jesus the center of it all? Is there a constant fresh desire to see God daily and know him more?
Even in church, we must be careful of the relationships we keep there because The Church is like a Clinic. All kinds of sick people come in. Not everyone in Church should be your inner circle friend. Everyone was following Jesus but not Everyone was approved and sanctioned by him! Be discerning of people, ask God to show you who they are and what He calls them, so you can know how to relate, interact and eventually open up your life to them. Know what their names are in the spirit! This is not about Judging anyone. This is about Destiny! The destiny of our children is critical because if you make friends with the wrong person and your values are not aligned, what happens when your children and their children interact = Corruption!
Our Relationships have a way of rubbing off on our children. They are watching us. Remember children learn more by seeing than what they are being told! Modelling is one the most influencing methods. Therefore model picking and maintaining the right relationship to them. Let your children see you praying with your friends, let them see you attend Godly events and concerts. Let them see you help the needy, let them see you having forward-thinking conversations instead of profane talk.
One strategy we can adopt when interacting with our friends’ Children is to call them by their names. I mean their Spiritual Names. Jesus saw the disciples and called them by their spiritual names. Peter was a Fisherman but Jesus called him by his Spiritual Name – Fishers of Men!
Another example can be found in John 1:46-47 ““Nazareth!” exclaimed Nathanael. “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” “Come and see for yourself,” Philip replied. As they approached, Jesus said, “Now here is a genuine son of Israel—a man of complete integrity.””
John 1:46-47 NLT
See Jesus above calling Nathaniel by who he is by the inspiration of the spirit. It is pertinent for us to follow in this path by calling both our children and children around us by who they are in God as inspired by the spirit of God in you. For example – How are the mighty oaks of righteousness, The Royal priesthood, How is the Favoured one? How are the Soldiers in the Lord’s army doing? If the World has its slang and coded language, we too have ours! We should use it!
“Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;”
Psalms 1:1 NKJV
“Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble.”
Proverbs 13:20 NLT
“As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.”
Proverbs 27:17 NLT
Prayer
- Lord wean me off relationships that are not in alignment with your call and purpose for my life and family in this season
- Bring me into godly relationships. Relationships that will sharpen me and I will too, as we press on into the perfect image of Christ. The right relationships that I need for this season.
- Help my children to walk with Godly people, to make friends with people that share a similar passion for you and your ways Lord. I pray for kingdom, sanctified, and progressive relationships into their lives and destinies.
- Lord sharpen the spirit of discernment in me. Help me to be discerning of my environment, the relationships around me, times and seasons of interactions as well as what to say and do per time Lord! Especially in regards to my role as parent and the blessed seed in my care.