THE GUARDIAN

Day to day with no rest

All of this, just for the best

Hours on end, it's more like a pest

Just so you won't go through my test

But still, there's no sign of concern

My heart aches as it burns

Even a good morning gets no return

My hard work wasn't appreciated like I thought

Your love, I thought it had to be bought

Behind my back you scorn and cough

In your eyes, I see the unpleasant burning hot.

Now I have come home and along with me all your hopes.

You have to fight for yourself all alone

And now that I'm no more, it was all shown

Without me, you couldn't have grown.

So now you realize my importance

All the reprimands were out of nothing but love.

I hope you don't have to go through my plight

As your guardian, all I wanted was one thing

For your love, I had to fight.

-Demure (written on October 1st, 2025)

Bible verses to help parents and children:

"Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 'Honor your father and mother' (this is the first commandment with a promise), 'that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land'" — Ephesians 6:1-3 via Open Bible Info

"Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old" — Proverbs 23:22 via Bible.com

"Listen with respect to the father who raised you, and when your mother grows old, don’t neglect her" — Proverbs 23:22-25

Guidance for Parents:

Deuteronomy 6:6-7 encourages parents to keep God's commandments in their hearts and teach them diligently to their children throughout their daily lives.

Proverbs 22:6 suggests that training a child in the right way will influence them even in old age.

Colossians 3:21 and Ephesians 6:4 advise fathers not to provoke their children, but instead to raise them in the Lord's instruction.

2 Corinthians 12:14 states that parents should provide for their children, not the other way around.

1 Timothy 5:8 emphasizes the importance of providing for one's family, calling those who don't worse than unbelievers.

The Nature of Parental Love (compared to God's Love):

Psalm 103:13 compares God's compassion for those who fear him to a father's compassion for his children.

Isaiah 49:15 highlights God's unwavering remembrance, asking if a mother could forget her child, then stating God will not forget.

Matthew 7:11 points out that if earthly parents, despite being flawed, give good gifts to their children, how much more will the heavenly Father give good gifts.

Children as a Blessing and Joy:

Psalm 127:3-5 describes children as a heritage and reward from the Lord, comparing sons born in youth to arrows in a warrior's hand and calling the man with many children blessed.

Proverbs 10:1 contrasts a wise son who brings joy with a foolish son who brings grief.

3 John 1:4 expresses great joy in hearing that children are walking in the truth.

External Cultural Pressures (Secularism, Media, Peer Pressure)

The Bible addresses the challenges of raising children in a world with external pressures. Romans 12:2 advises against conforming to worldly patterns, urging transformation through a renewed mind. Colossians 2:8 warns against being led astray by empty philosophies and human tradition. The danger of negative influences is highlighted in 1 Corinthians 15:33, stating that "Bad company corrupts good character". Parents are also warned against loving the world and its temporary desires in 1 John 2:15-17. Ephesians 5:15-16 calls for intentional living and making good use of time in a world of distractions.

Internal Family and Personal Challenges (Modeling, Time, Anxiety, Discipline)

The Bible also speaks to the internal challenges parents face. Deuteronomy 6:6-7 emphasizes the need for constant and intentional teaching of commandments to children. Ephesians 6:4 encourages fathers to bring up their children in the training and instruction of the Lord without exasperating them. Proverbs 22:15 and 13:24 discuss the need for discipline to address folly in a child's heart, connecting love with the willingness to discipline. For parents dealing with anxiety, Philippians 4:6-7 encourages prayer and petition, promising the peace of God. James 1:5 suggests seeking wisdom from God when feeling ill-equipped, and 1 Peter 5:7 encourages casting anxieties onto God. Galatians 6:9 offers encouragement to persevere in the challenging work of parenting. Finally, 1 Corinthians 10:31 reminds parents to do all things, including the use of technology, for God's glory.