My son, obey your father’s commands,
and don’t neglect your mother’s instruction.
Keep their words always in your heart.
Tie them around your neck.
When you walk, their counsel will lead you.
When you sleep, they will protect you.
When you wake up, they will advise you.
For their command is a lamp
and their instruction a light;
their corrective discipline
is the way to life.
- Proverbs 6:20-23 NLT
Recently I received saddening news. A family friend, sick with cancer, after having surgery and chemo found out the cancer has spread everywhere and there was nothing left the medical professionals could do. As I read their latest Facebook post, informing me of this, I was broken and sad.
It was a Monday morning and my family was waiting in the car for our "family time" outing to begin as I read this news. I began to cry as I walked to the car to meet up with my husband and kids. As my boys began to ask questions why I was upset, I allowed it to be a learning experience for them. For me.
How would I handle a conversation with my children that could potentially be uncomfortable? The way Christ would want me to.....filled with honestly, scripture and truth.
The Holy Spirit used this opportunity for growth in their understanding of life and death. As we drove, I explained what had happened to our friend and the possibility that he may die soon. I also followed it up by reminding them about about my sister, their Auntie Beth, who is in heaven and will see again someday. My husband and I explained that death is part of life, and how it started back in the Garden when Adam and Eve sinned.
My heart also expressed great hope & enthusiasm for where our family friend will go if he passes away. My kids now grasp the idea that those friends and family left behind, here on earth, are sad but the one who has died, knowing Jesus, is going to heaven happy because they get to be with Christ! What a blessing!
As a parent the Lord lays opportunities everyday at our feet. For conversation. For Truth. For prayer. Many times we run from those "talks" because we fear, the unknown, of how the discussion will go.
Many parents will lie just to avoid sharing truth. Ironic, huh?
Death.
Sex.
Drugs/alcohol.
Violence.
Last weekend at church I was reminded of the detriment of fleeing those "talks" by our guest speaker, Sy Rogers. He shared that someone will guide and influence your kids. Either the "Pop Culture" or YOU. Who will it be? They will have questions. They will ask. Will you answer? Will you create an environment welcoming those healthy open conversations? Will you be the voice they hear... investing Truth into their lives?
If there is a "uncomfortable" conversation you feel led to have with your child...PRAY...allow the Word and His Holy Spirit to guide your lips, message, and delivery. Sy also shared it is better to be on the side of preventative maintenance then on the flip side. So true!
Allow obstacles to be opportunities in disguise!
Lord, help us to have those "talks" with our children that could be difficult. Give us the words to say. Help us to be bold when we want to cower. We love and trust you. Thank you for calling us into the powerful position of influencing the next generation for you, Jesus!
