A few weeks back, Dr. Phil––talk show host and author of "Family First"––hosted President George and Laura Bush. Dr. Phil asked them what they would say to the American people to give them the strength to keep doing their best at raising kids, with all that is going on in our society.

Laura responded with, "That’s the really hard part of parenting now, how you can plan your life so your children have the strength to make the right choices and to not choose drugs or alcohol." The President responded, "I think a good message for parents is that you are making a great contribution to the country that you love by focusing your love, attention and time on your child." He continued to say, "A parent is educating the next generation in many ways–– whether you are a single parent or live in a two-parent household."

This made me think about what a difference it would make if we focused our time and attention on raising a godly family with the realization that we are developing the next generation to run our country. Daniel Webster said, "Whatever makes men good Christians makes them good citizens." What is it that we should be instilling into our children that will shape our society and make a difference in our country?

The other day, as we were having our Bible reading time, my nine year-old was reading from James, chapter 4, about anyone who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin. My four year-old raised her hand to get our attention and said, "Mommy, I want Jesus in my heart." This is a wonderful joy to any parent. As I prayed with her, I thanked God that His wonderful Spirit draws us at even the youngest of ages, if we will just respond. A lot of times, I feel the daily chores of raising children, holding down a household, loving my husband and living life, fill up my time and I wonder when I will get the time to go to all the earth and make disciples of all men. When my four year-old told Jesus that she wanted to live for Him, it was then that I was reminded once again that we are making disciples of all men when we disciple our children and train them in the ways of the Lord.

My four-year-old will now know the saving power of Jesus and she can join with me as we share the loving goodness of our Savior to our neighbors, the people in the grocery store, and around our world. As I train her in the ways of righteousness, she will be a shining example of the power of Jesus, and people will know there is a God who can deliver us from the guilt of our sin. If I teach her to love people who the world finds unlovable, if I teach her to be honest always, no matter what the cost, and if I teach her to respect her elders and flee the sin of rebellion, then have I not made a disciple and a good citizen that will make a difference in our society? If I teach her to walk in the peace that God offers, to have self-control and be long-suffering with the sins of others, have I not trained up a disciple and a good citizen? If I train her to follow the laws of the land and to do her work in excellence as she makes her bed each morning or as she helps her sisters with the dishes, have I not instilled a principle that will last a lifetime and make her a joy to society?

If I continue to direct her towards modest behavior and to flee youthful lusts, and if I teach her to love people because they are made in the image of God, have I not made a good citizen, a citizen that will change the tide of our country? If I raise godly children now when they are two, six, or ten, then I believe I have done the most substantial thing I can do for our country. If we make disciples of all men, starting with our children, have we not made the best citizens that our God and country could ever want?

I agree with President Bush when he says we are contributing to our country by the time we spend with our children, and that we are educating the next mothers and fathers of the next generation. We are educating the next preachers, scientists, doctors, builders, artists, teachers and presidents as we daily teach them the ways of Jesus. I would say that mothers and fathers have the most important position in this country. May we do it with excellence and with lots of prayer.

Tracey Selby Biography