I accepted it. My kids are not perfect. It was the hardest thing I had to accept but I had to. I brought all five them up in the church but that doesn’t make them out to be perfect, right? I was brought up in the church as well but later rebelled against my parents. My mom always told me in my rebellious years that I would see myself again (x2) and you know what, she wasn’t all of the way correct – I am seeing myself again (x10)!
In today’s society, however, it is way more dangerous than it was during my younger rebellious years. And we didn’t have SOCIAL MEDIA. What kids see on social media, they are starting to repeat. I am referring to the NEGATIVE things they are seeing. They are learning REBELLION in a whole new, way and it functions in a HORRIFYING way. Some kids today think it is very cool to disrespect their parents, leave home without being told to do so, sneak guests of their choice in the home, disrespect school officials, not go to the school at all, wear their pants sagging to their knees, etc. I could literally go on and on. Because of this, parents have to really enforce rules at home and stick with those rules. And once parents enforce the rules, some kids enforce their rebellious ways. The devil isn’t playing; he wants the lives of children. He will use whatever tools he can to manipulate and deceive them.
I recall the story of Adam and Eve. They had it made, they? God told them they could eat from ANY tree in the Garden of Eve EXCEPT for one. Just ONE – The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. And what did that old, trifling serpent do? He used manipulation and deceived Eve and Adam fell right into the trap. As a result, they suffered the consequences of their actions and was exiled from the Garden of Eve. God still loved them. He gave them freedom to choose when they were tempted and He hoped that they would would choose to stay in the Garden and spend eternity with Him. Based on this story, it appears that God is the first Prodigal Parent so surely He knows how other parents of rebellious and prodigal children feel.
Reflecting on the story of Adam and Eve is helping me in dealing with my children. I love my children; however, rebellion will simply not be tolerated in my home. I will not be manipulated or deceived by their wrong actions. I will not give the devil a room in my home. He is not welcome in my home nor on my property. I pray for my children and they may turned back to The God who the devil wants them to not believe in. I plead Psalms 91 over the lives of my two adult children, my two teens, my preteen and my two grandchildren. My two adult children and two teens know better so I have placed them in the Hands of the Almighty to deal with. Letting go of the disappointment, shame, anxiety and fear is a daily process but God is helping me to do. I trust Him with my children wholeheartedly. Just as Adam and Eve had to face the consequences of their choice not to obey God, my children will have to face theirs. I did my part training them up in the way should go. I also remember how God awakened me and restored me in the past and I know that He will do the same for my children.
Some days, it’s hard to keep me head up high. Some days, I cry on the inside. Some days, I lash out. Some days, I am OK. But everyday, I am praying and talking with the Lord. There may be other parents out there like me so you know where I am coming from. For the parents who do have great children doing great things, I commend you and pray that God keeps blessing you and your children. And please don’t ridicule or mock at the parents who haven’t arrived at the point you are at but lift us up in your prayers and keep us there. We need it.
And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says, “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son” (Hebrews 12:5-6 NIV).