the parent test

So every year we undergo an evaluation at the Betty Griffin House. We look into things and look at the past year. There are about 30 different areas that are looked at and each area has about 5-7 questions on a specific task that was asked of the worker for the year. It always goes pretty well for me, but I think about the surveys that I pass out each time I speak. Every time I do a presentation for students I pass out a survey and at the end of that survey is a group of questions.
1. How well did the presenter explain the material?
2. How well did the presenter answer questions?
3. What was your overall opinion of the presentation and presenter?
For each of these questions you can answer excellent, good, or poor. I have never received complete scores of poor, but I have seen situations where a kid is mad that they are missing P.E. and they gave me less good scores. Same with my evaluation with the bosses, if money is tight and they are not having a good week your evaluation may not reflect the honest opinion of your year's work. What if I had to do this every Sunday morning, if everyone present could evaluate my sermons, I would not want that to happen. Many people say that this happens at the passing of the plate, but that is a less direct evaluation. Also, the plate is passed before the message in most churches so you are not directly graded. And, most people go to church with their tithe in hand, not waiting to decide as the plate comes by.
What if we had to be evaluated this way as parents? What if there was a re-certification test and evaluation? What would that look like? How grueling would it truly be?
Well, if it was from the world it would ask if you took care of their needs, bought them what they wanted, and made sure the graduated high school and college. God's evaluation would be different and more direct. Did you love the Lord your God with all your heart soul and mind, and more importantly did you raise your children in a manner that they would too?
Ephesians 6:4 Fathers, do not exaparate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.
So God's final grading scale would be, not did they graduate college, go on to successful careers and have chilren. It would not be did you meet their needs physically and emotionally and provide for them. It would be, did you train them up in a godly manner. Did you raise them to love the Lord and to know His word? That is the only question we as parents truly need to ask ourselves upon a review of our parenting. Did we raise children who know GOd's word and love Him? If so then you get an A!
thanks for reading and have a great day!