1. Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2. "Honor your father and mother"-- which is the first commandment with a promise-- 3. "that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth." 4. Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.
Parents must bear responsibility to be parents. Exasperation isn't the same as making them upset, but it is keeping them from improper goals. The opposite of exasperation is bringing them up, instead, in the training and instruction of the Lord. Exasperation is when the child has no understanding where he is at or what she should do. It comes with lack of training, lack of love, lack of understanding. It happens when there is unfairness, abuse, anger, and manipulation. Exasperation results when children are confused.
Exasperation is when parents are cheating and drunk and not providing for their family, or not spending time with children, or giving very little interest in their activities. It makes them feel unimportant.
It is the grave responsibility of parents to raise children who bear the image of God, to steer them into adulthood, and to recognize they're on loan from God.
Some will say a child needs to vent his or her anger including yelling and throwing things. If an adult is upset with a policeman and calls him names and throw things at him, does that produce good? Respect is learning proper ways of expressing feelings. There is the need to be heard and the need to listen.
I quote a poem by Henry Matthew Ward called “By Example.”
“When I got mad and hit my child, "For his own good," I reconciled
And then, I realized my plight. Today, I taught my child to fight.
When interrupted by the phone I said, "Tell them I'm not at home."
And then I thought, and had to sigh- Today I taught my child to lie.
I told the tax man what I made, forgetting cash that I was paid
And then I blushed at this sad feat, Today, I taught my child to cheat.
I smugly copied a cassette, to keep me free of one more debt.
But now the bells of shame must peal. Today I taught my child to steal.
Today, I cursed another race. Oh God, protect what I debase,
For now, I fear it is too late. Today, I taught my child to hate.
By my example, children learn, That I must lead in life's sojourn
In such a way that they are led, By what is done, not what is said.
Today, I gave my child his due, By praises for him instead of rue.
And now I have begun my guide: Today, I gave my child his pride.
I now have reconciled and paid to IRS on all I made.
And now I know that this dear youth, Today has learned from me of Truth.
The alms I give are not for show. And yet, this child must surely know,
That charity is worth the price; Today, he saw my sacrifice.
I clasp within a warm embrace, My neighbor of another race-
The great commandment from above. Today, I taught my child to love.
Someday, my child must face alone, This world of fearsome undertone,
But I have blazed a sure pathway; Today, I taught my child to pray."
Pray: Lord, that I might display your character to all those I parent.
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