If you could do it all over again, what would you change?

Dr. Joel Beeke often encounters this thought-provoking question and shares his reflections on it. He mentions that his usual response would be to trust more in God and His covenant mercies, while worrying less. This realization stems from his personal experiences as a parent, where each stage of a child's growth brings new challenges and concerns.

Dr. Beeke emphasizes the importance of steadfastness in parenting. By correcting, disciplining, and modeling Scripture truths, parents can trust in the covenant faithfulness of God. Despite the trials and burdens that may arise, God's might and love surpass any worldly challenges. Parents are encouraged to fulfill their responsibilities faithfully and trust that the Lord will fulfill His promises, ensuring the well-being and salvation of their children.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV): "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths."

If you had to do it all over again, very common question I get, what would you do differently? And I've come to have a pat answer for that. I've thought about this a lot. I say, I trust God and His covenant mercies more, and I'd worry less. And why would I worry less?

Well, when our kids grew up, I mean, every little stage they got into, we had a stage where one child, five years old, had such a vivid imagination that he was making things up and lying about things. And I pictured the kid in jail someday, you know, for a profligate life and lying to people and catching up with him. I just was so worried about him. But you know what you do? What I experienced anyway, my wife too says the same thing.

You just Stay faithful, stay steady, correct, discipline, bring them scripture truth, model it for them, wait on the Lord, and guess what? Six months later, that stage is gone. Now you may enter a new stage and new problems, But covenant faithfulness of our God blesses covenant faithfulness of the parents to their children. And you just trust the Lord that in due time He will save your children, He will make all things well, And yes, you'll have to go through trials. Yes, sometimes it'll weigh you down.

But you know what? God is mightier than Satan. And his love is more powerful than the world's love. He can protect your family. You do what you're called to do and trust that the Lord will do what he promised to do and go forward.

He'll help you