Previous generations where raised under
premise that children are to be seen and not heard. If they altered in teaching, next generation was heard. But, their words weren't taken seriously; as adults always think they know more than children do. Following generations often have few to no guidelines, wherein children's behavior screams for someone to care enough to say, "No."
Though, what if God did that to us? When we call out to Him, can you imagine God responding with, "I can't hear you"? When we cry, what if He mocked our words, "Cry my hands full. You're nothing but a big baby"? Or, we could be given blame for all that ails us, "All he does is wine", or even worse, "Come here and I'll give you something to cry about!"
What if God didn't care more about you than comfort of moment, "Sure, do whatever you want. I just want you to like me." Try some of that on church visitation and see how effective you are. But, instead, God takes great care in parenting, to do it right. He looks deeper, to meet need of heart.
Why should God listen to our prayers when we don't listen to our children?
Doesn't God love us enough to say, "No", when it will hurt us or someone else?
Still worse were teachings of 'spare rod, spoil child'. During days of preaching 'hell, fire, and brimstone', parents showed children what they thought God was like; drawing blood, in name of Lord. What happened to "thy rod and thy staff they comfort me"?
Is it any wonder adults think they can't come to God?
Once children "know" they have a consistent place of refuge they can depend upon, in time of need, many annoying traits of childhood disappear.
Few come to realize children are living souls first and children second. Taking God as a perfect example, we're to be spiritual parents. Only when children become willfully defiant, for non-need reasons, do we have right to act in disciplinary fashions and, still then, with God's guidance.
If God offered us grace, then, why do we hold children accountable under our law (or His), without consideration of extenuating circumstances? When we accuse and punish children, without considering their heart or getting facts straight, we could be shedding innocent blood.
