Raising Teenagers
Often parents shudder when they think of their children becoming a “teenager”.
I’ve searched through the Bible and cannot even find the word teenager. There is mention of children and youth … but no “teenager”.
Interesting.
When my children were young, many well-meaning parents would say, “Oh, you just wait until they become teenagers”. They spoke as if they were going to come down with a dreaded disease of some sort.
Their words invoked fear … and fear is not from God.
I rejected their warning.
I never anticipated that any of my children would ever come down with the expected dreaded teenager disease. In fact, I anticipated the opposite – they would all make it through these years and “when they were old they would not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6). Meaning, they would still have a relationship with their Creator and Saviour, Jesus Christ, after the adolescence season was over.
At times my resolve was threatened and I went to prayer. “Lord, you love this child more than me, help me to love like You”. And He did.
We cannot make our children choose “Christ”. However, we can do everything in our power to model a “Christlikeness life-style” praying they will make this most important, life changing, eternal decision for themselves.
As parents, sadly, we make mistakes. However, when we mess up and get it wrong, apologize. Say you’re sorry … humble yourself.
Teenagers are not to be feared. If we allow the Lord to do His work during the process of adolescence … the fruits of the Spirit as found in Galatians 6, will ripen in us and surprising, through their struggles – we mature.
“ … The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control …”. Galatians 5:22,23
“Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it”. Proverbs 22:6
“Love never fails … ” 1 Corinthians 13:8
Today’s prayer:
“Dear Heavenly Father, I surrender myself and my children to you. I trust you are with me while I raise my kids. Give me wisdom for each child as I do my best to lead them to you. Help me not to be a hypocrite. Say one thing and do another. Teach me to live honestly before you – then I will before them – may I remember what your Word says, love never fails. Help me God, to love like you”.