Mom and Dad, I’m gay.
There are a number of parents, Christians and not, who have been shocked by these words. Someone asks, “As a Christian, what should I say?” The first thing is to make SURE they know you love them. 1 John 4:8 says, “The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love” (NASB). Also, Romans 2:4 tells us, “God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance” (NIV). It’s important “to remember that our children … have heart issues,” just like we do. Encourage them not to define themselves as gay. Just because they have same-sex thoughts or attractions doesn’t make them a homosexual—as Christians, we’re new creations. Don’t shy away from the fact that God says it’s sin, but always use Scripture for your source of authority. More tomorrow. Based on “How should Christian parents respond if one of their children comes out as gay?”, GotQuestions.org. https://www.gotquestions.org/Christian-parents-of-gay-children.html
How valuable are your children to you, really?
A cartoon showed two women in business suits—briefcase in hand, waiting for the bus. One said to the other: “Better the rat race than the brat race.” This says it all, doesn’t it? Better to chase dollars than change diapers. Really? Better to shape corporate culture than your child’s character? I know there are a lot of families where both parents have to work, or you’re a single mom. Research says that’s not always easy, but it’s reality. My caution to you is to make quality time for your kids. Money and possessions won’t follow us to heaven. But our children can. In any situation, it’s up to the Holy Spirit, but, if we’re pointing them to Christ at every turn, that training will have lasting impact.
Rides to school can be memorable!
Looking for ways to make a memory? One of our listeners told me she plays the audio of the Keys for Kids devotional through our app for her two elementary-aged kids on their way to school each morning. When it’s over, they talk about it. One morning, her daughter gave her heart to Christ. What a memory that is for that family! God can use these moments together to provide a foundation for a child’s spiritual development. Whether you use our devotional or someone else’s, make sure you’re spending time in God’s Word with your kids each day. God is allowing us to care for the kids He created. Make sure you’re talking about Him each day. And as you do, pray the Holy Spirit moves their hearts to follow Christ. Get the Keys for Kids app: https://www.keysforkids.org/app
Encouraging creativity
A mom recently asked me, “How do I support my kids’ creativity versus squelching it by being realistic?” That’s a great question. I find this question is answered differently by different parents. Here are five things you can do to help your kids be more creative.* 1. Looks for gifts and tap into them. 2. “Foster [their] interests.” Find programs or books that can help them learn more about their interests. 3. “Offer inspiration.” Go to museums, baseball games, or the theater. 4. “Provide encouragement” by complimenting them or posting their work. 5. “Get creative” yourself. Post your parenting questions at our website. *Based on “5 Ways Parents Can Encourage Creative Talents in Their Kids” by Lori Garcia, Babble.com
One loving thing we as husbands can do
Recently, my wife called me in the middle of my workday extremely frustrated. Our daughter was defying her authority and was out of control. I decided this was serious enough—I needed to go home. I said, “I’ll be right there.” By the time I arrived, my daughter had already apologized, expressing her remorse and her desire to change. Well, that didn’t stop the discipline and me from making it clear that that wasn’t going to happen again. But the most amazing reaction came from my wife. She wrapped her arms around me and said, “Thank you so much,” expressing great love for me. Scripture says it’s loving to discipline your kids. Certainly it’s loving to that child, but also to others as well—to your spouse and even to the God who owns our kids.
Stop the roller coaster! I want off!
Do your kids like roller coasters? I remember the first time I rode one with my daughter. She was scared, but excited. We were slowly chugging up the first hill. My daughter said, “Dad, I want to get off.” I said, “Honey, I can’t stop this thing. You’re stuck. It’s too late.” The real choice to ride the roller coaster is when you get in the seat and lock yourself in. It’s kind of the same way with friends. If you’re out with your friends and they’re up to no good, it’s really hard to turn away and go home alone. The best time to say no to bad stuff is when you pick your friends. Help your kids pick good friends. Bad ones can take your kids on a wild, disastrous ride. The Bible says, “Bad company corrupts good morals” (1 Corinthians 15:33).
Am I a grizzly bear?
Recently, I watched this video of a guy interviewing college students. He was about 5’8” with white, blondish hair. He was asking people about what they thought about transgendered individuals using any bathroom they want. Their answers were, “Well, they should be able to use whatever. Who am I to tell them what they are?” Then he told these people that he was an Asian female. The students were “okay” with that. But then when he told them he was 6’5”—that was too much. Our culture doesn’t believe in absolutes—even something as simple as gender. As parents, we need to remind our kids that Scripture is absolute truth. God’s Word is the ultimate authority. As culture wars heat up, use God’s Word to guide you. All Scripture is inspired by God.
Do we delight in the LORD?
Psalm 37:4 says, “Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart” (ESV). No, this isn’t a name-it-and-claim-it type of theology. The reality is that if we seek Christ in everything we do, the Holy Spirit will direct us. His desires become our desires. His plans become our plans. Our every motivation is to make Christ known and to grow in Him. How does that relate to parenting? If our kids see this delight in our lives, don’t you think that as we show this in our daily lives, it will motivate them to follow Christ? Some of my favorite memories are of my grandparents being at peace about everything because they knew God was in control.
The “C” word—it’s devastating.
Cancer. It’s a word every family fears. It means a change of lifestyle, uncertainty, pain, suffering, and sometimes—death. We fear it. How do we deal with this with our kids and grandkids? I wish I had the answers. Obviously, it depends on the age: the message is God is in control. He’s the Great Physician. He’s the Sustainer, our Healer, Comforter, Provider, and Friend. He has a plan. Suffering, pain, and death—they’re all a part of life. It’s the result of sin. As a believer, death is victory, a reminder of how amazing God’s grace truly is. A verse to help? Philippians 1:21: “For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” (CSB).
Can protection hurt our kids?
We’ve all seen it: parents who try to protect their kids from poor choices they’ve made. In school, some parents view the teachers as the enemy. When their child fails or behaves badly, they blame the teacher. “If my child is doing poorly, it’s got to be YOUR fault. You’re just a bad teacher,” I overheard once. We’re seeing this happen all over the United States: teachers, police officers, and other authority figures in our kids’ lives being attacked by parents whose kids are making poor choices. Protecting our kids from the consequences of their actions isn’t love—it’s abuse. The Bible says, “Whoever spares the rod hates their children, but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them” (Proverbs 13:24 NIV). Fail at that, and we fail our kids.