As a dad, I recognize that our families are like that. They are “on the move” every day with all kinds of activities, and we soon may find that those activities seem to conflict. Our strategy should be the same as that of Uncle David and Aunt Caroline: get the big things in place first, and fill in leftover space with the other things we believe we cannot do without.
What’s the biggest item? God’s Word admonishes us to seek first the kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33). Our relationship with God and advancing His kingdom in our hearts must come first. Our children’s personal time with the Lord in prayer and Bible reading, our church attendance, and time in ministry to others comes first.
What else is important? Luke 2:52 says that Jesus grew in intellectual, physical, spiritual, and social dimensions. So, too, our children need growth in each of these areas, not just music, or just academics, or just soccer, or ___________ (you fill in the blank)--but in each dimension.
In teaching priority principles to our children, may we get our cue from the Word, not culture of the world (Romans 12:1-2; 1 John 2:15-17).