Story Inspired by True Events
She got a call, the one she dreaded receiving, but suspected she would one day receive based on her teen’s history. The man said, “Your son is in jail”. He was kid with good grades, handsome good looks, but a weakness to pressures of his peer group.
With such a challenging economy, no luck in finding a job to purchase the desires of his fashion habits, the kid stole some clothes from a store and got busted. Parents, angry as expected, but with a heavy heart, decided to let him do his time after serious debate. If they bailed him out, he would do it again or end up in the penitentiary later for greater offenses. The lesson needed to sink into his heart, mind, and soul, and his character needed to be shaped by a life lesson in self control, honesty, and integrity (Proverbs 19:18).
Children and teens will be challenged to make decisions which will cause a parent to be proud or question their kid’s character. No one wants their children making poor decisions because they are afraid that their kids will be hurt by the circumstances. Frankly, as parents, they don’t want to feel the pain of their children’s decisions either.
Yet the circumstances must be experienced so that when pressures come at them again and again, they will be ready to choose wisely because their character has shaped by prior consequences.
Getting through the hurtful moments of watching children choose for themselves is no easy task. However, it is manageable by keeping a small list of truths in mind beginning with, do not take it personal. Parents have sounded off, “How could he/she have done this to me?” Most of the time, the offenses kids carry out are not devised with how they can hurt their parents. It is about what they want and how they can get it. Follow that by knowing that until the children are fully grown and living for the Lord, parents are in the battle field with the enemy for their child’s souls and integrity. Daily prayer for them regarding their walk with the Lord, a righteous heart, and wisdom as a parent could easily be prioritized. Mom’s and dad’s should not be afraid to reach out for a prayer partner or support from others who have been through some of the similar trials (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). It can not go without saying, that finally, parents can not play the self blame game. So many could of, should of’s, but most of them know the basics of making a good decision.
Teresa G. Lusk, is the author of, Good Enough to be a Homemaker and CEO™, and is a Motivational Speaker. She resides in McKinney, TX with her husband and children. Visit www.teresalusk.com.
Scripture quotations are taken from the New International Version of The Holy Bible, as displayed at http://www.biblegateway.com.