July 19, 2021 – Setting Rules?
There are many quotes about following the rules in life. Set Rules – Break the Rules, and back and forth.
Somehow, I thought the parent sets the rules. The heavy thought of setting rules for myself as a parent, was not foremost in my mind, but caring for my children became my uppermost thought.
Why would I spend time wondering if I should follow rules as a new parent? I did wonder how I could feed and keep my children safe and healthy was my main concern.
I read Dr. Spock trying to consider how to get the baths and when I should add solid food was foremost. I can attest to the help of reading that book. Zilch, Nada.
Their Dad and I learned slowly that punishment didn’t always work but listening and love does. We were punished as children, and we soon learned that doesn’t always work.
Laughter helps. Some of our most joyous times is when the six of us sat around the dinner (we called it supper) table teasing each other. Thanks to
Grandpa Siemens, the son of Jacob B Siemens V and Emilie Brunn Siemens.We loved hearing the stories of the antics of our Dad with his brothers 
Dietrich, Jacob, and Johnnie. I sometimes wonder how Grosmom Emilie Brunn Siemens (18 June 1876-Ukraine -7 August 1943 – Clinton OK.) managed when her Jacob (27 February 1876 KS – 20 February 1930) traveled on the train – preaching about Jesus to Mennonite brethren in between farming in the Corn, Oklahoma area.
On their tombstone in Corn, Oklahoma, is engraved this message: German: Selig Sind Die in Dem Herrn Sterben. Translation: Blessed are those who die in the Lord.
When we entered the three months when my children’s Dad left for 
three months to serve in packaging helicopters for the army to bring back from Vietnam, we did not set rules, we prayed. His return was a moment for all of us to catch our breath and re-unite again.
It was a joy for all of us. We took our cue from our returning Father and laughter rang through the house. There is no need for rules for rejoicing in the Lord.
Any rule for ourselves and set for others is always based on loving and honoring others. “So, whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 7:12.
Following God’s commands and teaching them brings peace and harmony and the incredible Love and Forgiveness to the family. Listening, Loving and Forgiveness. This is God’s way.
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God and are justified by His grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by His blood, to be received by faith. Romans 3:23-25.
If we have been taught God’s Way – through this admonition to parents: Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6.
Then we will “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.” Exodus 20:12.
A child emulates his parents. A child doesn’t follow rules but learns by our example. When we become Children of God, we learn to follow His example. “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. You know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. John 14:15-17.
How important is the role of the parent? Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 19:14.
Our children are gifts from God placed in our keeping. And we are the doorway through which they get their first glimpse of God.
Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of Him. By this we know that we love the children of God when we love God and obey His commandments. I John 5:1-2.