This Battle is Not in Our Minds

Do you ever worry about what effect the culture is having on your children? The culture with all its smart-alecky joking, cynical jibes, dumbing-down, crazy over-the-top zaniness?  Do you worry that your child is one day going to turn away from all you have taught them and worked so hard to instill in them and adopt that way of acting?

In a world where permissive behavior is more the norm than not and tolerance is the word of the day, being conservative, or even moderate, living moral, striving to be Christ-like, means you look rather odd and you are pretty much marching out of step by social rules.  In response, some parents have opted out of the job of responsibly raising their children. It appears they are merely living life alongside their kids without giving any real guidance, training or discipline.

If you are one of those parents who still believe that children need to behave respectfully, use good manners, and treat others with kindness, I encourage you to keep on keeping on. You have a guidebook ready. It’s probably sitting somewhere close to you right now.  God’s Word is powerful and the real deal. Take strength from it. Get direction from it. “My word that goes out from my mouth - will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”(Isaiah 10:11)

When it seems everyone around you are losing their heads, keep yours in the game. Read your Bible and discover encouragement, wise guidance, and a God who is on your side.  It is a must-read for parents who want to raise respectful, morally responsible, spiritually healthy children.  Moms, “gird your loins” or put on your armor, as in Ephesians 6.

“Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” (v.11) Remember, as mamas, our battle is not against the culture and the crazy folks who believe its lies.  “Our struggle is against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." (v. 12)

So let’s be ready to stand our  ground! “And after you have done everything, to stand firm.”  (v. 14)

With this as a battle plan, you will be ready, Mom, “to take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”  (v. 17)

Let’s be ready for this battle for the hearts, minds and souls of our children. Moms, let’s fight back against a culture that would love for us to give up and accept that there is nothing we as Christians can do to stop it. Let’s do everything we can to lead the next generation into a life of grace and godly living.  

And then... Are you ready for this one? “You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.” (Isaiah 55:12) 

On some days, I could use a little applause. Even from a tree.

Caring for Your Kid's Parent

If you are a single parent, you join this country's 10 million moms or dads who are raising children alone. That's a huge number of folks! But that isn't very comforting or useful when you're the only parent available at 3:00 in the morning to tend to a fussy toddler or worry over a tardy teen. Those situations accentuate what you experience most of your nights and days: you are alone. It is the opinion of many family educators and counselors, that single parents have the toughest job in the world. Parenting with the teamwork of a supportive spouse is a hard job, but doing the work all alone is guaranteed to be stress-filled and absolutely never-ending. There is always so much work to be done. You must work to provide an income - for housing, food, insurance, transportation, etc. And then there's your home and family life: you cook, clean, do laundry and take care of your child's needs for school, sports, friends, and other activities. Where does a single parent find the luxury time to replenish drained energy?

First of all, Mom, change your thinking: it is not a luxury. Having time to recharge yourself is an absolute necessity. It may be useful to know that even Jesus took time away from the busy-ness of preaching, teaching, healing and saving folks. One particular stressful event (and let's face it -Jesus had many) the Bible records he went away by himself, "when Jesus had heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place" (Matthew 14:13). Luke 5 tells us that Jesus withdrew often from his work just to pray! No one knew more about how much work there was to do then Jesus, and yet he also knew the importance of refilling his spirit, resting his body and mind, and renewing his soul.

As single parents you have the most important job of all - raising your kiddos - on your shoulders. You must not jeopardize the success of this job to create a healthy, happy, and God-centered child. And you will run aground if you run out of what you need to do this job. The solution: find a friend to help you with your errands, chores and childcare needs. Every single parent needs at least one adult who can be involved in their life. Ask a parent, a neighbor, a church friend, a pastor, youth minister - someone to partner with you and become part of your team! Join an adult class at your church, or a parenting support group, or a single's ministry to find the adult care you need. And remember: be faithful to your own prayer and Bible study time.

Take care of yourself. You are your kids most important person SO, you are too important to neglect.