Our Children
Posted by: amazinggraze <amazinggraze@...>
a Latino. I will call her Suzy. I used to LOVE to talk to Suzy. She would
talk with such enthusiasm and use her arms and body and her voice to make
points. One day, she was talking to a lady who came in and wanted to talk
to her about her teenage daughter. Many people talked to Suzy and her
husband about their children because Suzy's children were very godly teens.
Anyway, this lady was so concerned about her daughter. She was listening to
a tape of some group called Smashing Pumpkins. I won't forget that name,
just because of the way Suzy said it. Anyway, she started up her engine and
let loose. I am not sure how the lady took it, but it made so much sense to
me. Here is my rendition of what she says. Picture Latino accent and and
lots of gestures and rhythms in the voice.....
Your daughter is a teenager......
Where did she get the tape?.....
Who drove her to the store?...she is only 16!!
Who bought the tape player...she is only 16!!
Who pays for her room she listens to it in?......she is only 16!!
Who pays the electricity to run the tape player?........ she is only 16!!
Who buys her clothes and food?..........she is only 16!!
Anyway, you get the point. The child was that.... A child. We so often as
parents give in to what our children want even when it is not good for them.
Look in the Bible at Eli. He was reprimanded for not keeping his sons in
line.. They were adults... they were priests. He did talk to them, but
that did nothing..... So punishment came because Eli did not take care of
the problem. My son would like to do lots of things. However, MANY of them
are provisions for sin for him. So, we have shared with him why we choose
not to allow those things. My son is not perfect. He still gets in
trouble. He is 17. He just got his learners permit, because there is not
real need for him to drive. He will not get his license until he is 18. We
explained why, and he is OK with that. Even if he was not, that is what WE
as his parents decided and since we are responsible for him, we would put
our foot down. If your child is not acting as he should, why should you
reward him with priviledges (sp?) ? Driving is a priviledge, not a must. A
job outside the home is a priviledge, not a must. Being with other children
is a priviledge not a must..... I know many of you will not agree with me.
However, it is OUR responsibility as parents for what our children do. If
anyone is interested, there is a great Jonathan Lindvall newsletter on this
issue. It made so much sense and what he says, he takes from scripture.
I am not asking anyone to beat themselves up over what their children do.
Mine has done things as well. However, if they are not following curfew,
etc. Keep them home...PERIOD. If they can be trusted in little things,
they can be trusted with bigger ones.
OK, I am off my soapbox. I hope and pray that I have offended no one. If I
have, let me know.
Wanting to please my Lord and Savior,
Marci, Adopted List Momma
Amazing Graze Farms
http://www.amazinggrazefarms.faithweb.com
Keep striving to be the best Keeper At Home you can be!!