Have your kids ever been scared of the dark? Did you put a night-light of some kind in their room to provide a degree of comfort? We certainly did. It is amazing how just a little bit of light in a dark room can provide a child enough peace of mind to settle down for a good night’s rest.

As kids get older, the darkness that impedes their peace and rest requires more than a night light. It calls for dad and mom to be engaged with what is going on at school, what the kids are being exposed to via the Internet, and what stress they may be experiencing. The best way to do this is to make sure the light of Christ is bright in the home and provides a safe place for frank discussions. Similar to the kinds of discussions Jesus had with His disciples.

The scribes and the Pharisees said to Him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. Now in the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So, what do You say?” … Jesus said, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” … they went away one by one, ... Later Jesus spoke to the Pharisees saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”- John 8:4-9&12. Jesus provided light in the life of the adulteress that blasted through the darkness of her sin. She fully embraced the grace Jesus offered and proceeded to walk in “the light of life.” “No one after lighting a lamp covers it with a jar or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light. For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light.” – Luke 8:16-18. Jesus’ parable of the lamp conveys the responsibility a Christian has once the saving grace offered by Jesus the Christ is embraced. The responsibility is to reflect His light where He has us. This is particularly critical in marriage and in the home so the kids have a safe place where the light of Christ in family can blast through any darkness incurred across their day. Dads are charged to embrace the light, walk in the light and reflect the light as they talk with kids about the light.

Del Tackett, author and speaker, tells a story of his grandson opening the hall closet door one morning as the sun shone through the window. Never missing a teaching moment, Del talked about how the darkness in the closet could not overtake the light in the hallway. Rather, the sunshine cut through the darkness in the closet. As long as the light is not removed, or covered up, darkness is always overtaken by light. Similarly, sin is overtaken by the light that is a personal relationship with Jesus the Christ. In His light, the devil’s schemes are rebuked.

Prayer guide: Father, thank You for Your word and for Your light in my life. Too often I have tolerated shadows and darkness in my life, thinking I could manage the distraction. But I allowed the devil’s schemes, his spiritual attacks, to push personal success and financial incentives ahead of You, my marriage and family. Forgive me. As a dad, I pray Your light will illumine our home as I get my priorities straight. Help me walk in Your light and provide a bright home for my family that in turn will help all of us reflect You in this world. That is the dad You call me to be and that’s the dad my kids need to see. Amen.

A faithful father talks to his kids about the light of Christ.