(This post was written by Chuck Carringer, Pastor of Family Ministries)

Ecclesiastes 3:2b “A time to plant and a time to harvest. “

As parents, much of our investment in the raising and training of our children will not be fully known for years. We live in a culture of instant gratification. It is natural to want to see the results of our efforts. With parenting, however, consistent planting over time is what leads to a great harvest for our children in God’s perfect timing. Too often we undervalue the long term impact of steady parenting.

Sure, what happens today matters. But the greatest harvests (life’s most important values & lessons) take time. Keep planting. Perhaps you have lost some of resolve to plant because of parenting during difficult teenage years. While that feeling is understandable, we must keep planting – believing the harvest will come later.

Are you “planting” in your children today for a future harvest?