Unity in a Christian Family
It was late one wet rainy night… a lone car was parked outside a certain house with its head lamps switched off. Inside the car was a most undesirable fellow. He sat in the car waiting… waiting for his girlfriend to come for a spin round the town with him. At long last the house door opened and a young woman bustled out hurriedly. She rushed to the car and stepped in. The couple drove off quickly, breathing a sigh of relief that they had successfully got away without the girls parents being aware of what was happening… not that they cared. The Mother was watching her favourite program on TV, and the Father was talking to a friend in his Study. And hour or so later, they had not even thought of their daughter, when suddenly the heard the telephone ringing. The Mother called to the Father to go and answer it because she was so engrossed in her TV program. So reluctantly the Father took the call. However he was not at all ready for the official voice telling him that a car had crashed in the town and his daughter was dead!
He had not said good bye to her… he didn’t even know she had gone out… or who she had gone with. His daughter had been a stranger in her own home, and now it was too late to change… she had gone forever!
How many families are like that today? Children don’t talk to their parents, and parents don’t talk to their children. Why would that be? Perhaps it could be selfishness on both sides. Or it could be complete misunderstanding.
Parents, I want you to know something… I have been through this myself, so I speak from personal experience. Talk openly to your Sons and Daughters. Allow them to talk to you, and don’t make fun of what they say. You have already been down this road and know the pitfalls, and your children want your help. They cry for help but no-one hears them. They plead with you, but you mock them. They tell you things, but you doubt them. Their friends tease and mock them… You think you are doing the right thing allowing them to grow up guided by peer pressure, but all the time they remain silent, forgotten and trapped within a shell they need your help to break out of.
Children, be open with your parents, and tell them your worries. They are there to help guide you. Trust them because they only want the best for you. Unless you tell them your concerns, they will be unable to help you. Spill your heart aches to your parents… true God fearing parents will want to understand you.
Families, talk over your problems. Start from an early age talking about trivial things, then as the children become young adults they will still find it easy to turn to their parents when the road becomes a little rocky. When trouble comes, as it always does during the teenage years, a parent’s support is always needed, always wanted and always sought. The parent who shows a lack of interest in their child’s friends is taking a great risk. They do not know what type of person their loved one is mixing with. They can’t afford to take their child’s word for it, that their friends are ‘okay’. They need to meet the friends themselves to find out if the ‘friend’ their child is friends with is really reputable, and if that person will give strength to the character they have woven throughout the course of that child’s life.
It is a sorry plight to see children, and even young adults not able to share their dreams, worries and loves with their families for fear of laughter, teasing and joking… when all the time that trapped heart is crying out for a listening, caring ear.
In the story above, think how differently it would have been if the parents had kindly and warmly explained how risky it was to drive around with a man like that, and shown her by example and love that they supported her in every way to find a better friend, a more desirable friend. If they had of explained this, starting from an early age, she would not have died that night… simply because she would have had the courage to ask her parents for guidance.
It is foolish to the extreme to think that when people reach 21 years they are adults and no longer need guidance… Even a 60 year old can receive guidance from an elder! Don’t put old heads on young shoulders. Treat the youth as they really are, children! There is time enough for the troubles of tomorrow to bother them. Allow them to grow up naturally, without peer pressure, and you will see they will blossom into oak trees, giving thanks to you, their parents, for bringing them up to be able to stand upon the solid ground.
Broken hearts and ruined dreams are not forever
No matter how rough the way or bad the weather
Jesus always has a listening ear… and he is able to help you. Take everything to God in prayer… God bless!
ByAdam R. B. Reeve
Written: 15th March 2011
He had not said good bye to her… he didn’t even know she had gone out… or who she had gone with. His daughter had been a stranger in her own home, and now it was too late to change… she had gone forever!
How many families are like that today? Children don’t talk to their parents, and parents don’t talk to their children. Why would that be? Perhaps it could be selfishness on both sides. Or it could be complete misunderstanding.
Parents, I want you to know something… I have been through this myself, so I speak from personal experience. Talk openly to your Sons and Daughters. Allow them to talk to you, and don’t make fun of what they say. You have already been down this road and know the pitfalls, and your children want your help. They cry for help but no-one hears them. They plead with you, but you mock them. They tell you things, but you doubt them. Their friends tease and mock them… You think you are doing the right thing allowing them to grow up guided by peer pressure, but all the time they remain silent, forgotten and trapped within a shell they need your help to break out of.
Children, be open with your parents, and tell them your worries. They are there to help guide you. Trust them because they only want the best for you. Unless you tell them your concerns, they will be unable to help you. Spill your heart aches to your parents… true God fearing parents will want to understand you.
Families, talk over your problems. Start from an early age talking about trivial things, then as the children become young adults they will still find it easy to turn to their parents when the road becomes a little rocky. When trouble comes, as it always does during the teenage years, a parent’s support is always needed, always wanted and always sought. The parent who shows a lack of interest in their child’s friends is taking a great risk. They do not know what type of person their loved one is mixing with. They can’t afford to take their child’s word for it, that their friends are ‘okay’. They need to meet the friends themselves to find out if the ‘friend’ their child is friends with is really reputable, and if that person will give strength to the character they have woven throughout the course of that child’s life.
It is a sorry plight to see children, and even young adults not able to share their dreams, worries and loves with their families for fear of laughter, teasing and joking… when all the time that trapped heart is crying out for a listening, caring ear.
In the story above, think how differently it would have been if the parents had kindly and warmly explained how risky it was to drive around with a man like that, and shown her by example and love that they supported her in every way to find a better friend, a more desirable friend. If they had of explained this, starting from an early age, she would not have died that night… simply because she would have had the courage to ask her parents for guidance.
It is foolish to the extreme to think that when people reach 21 years they are adults and no longer need guidance… Even a 60 year old can receive guidance from an elder! Don’t put old heads on young shoulders. Treat the youth as they really are, children! There is time enough for the troubles of tomorrow to bother them. Allow them to grow up naturally, without peer pressure, and you will see they will blossom into oak trees, giving thanks to you, their parents, for bringing them up to be able to stand upon the solid ground.
Broken hearts and ruined dreams are not forever
No matter how rough the way or bad the weather
Jesus always has a listening ear… and he is able to help you. Take everything to God in prayer… God bless!
ByAdam R. B. Reeve
Written: 15th March 2011