That the next generation might know. Psalm 78:6
The Pictures Speak Heart-Breaking Words
She was in church every Sunday, sitting with her parents (and both sets of grandparents). She always came to youth group and went to camp. She even brought a good friend with her to camp one year...because she really wanted her to become a Christian.
I just reconnected with this girl from my old youth group, through Facebook. I haven't seen her, or spoken to her, in years. So when I got a "friend suggestion," I was interested to see how she was doing. Her pictures told me everything...and I mean everything.
Large bottles of liquor, suggestive positions, and glazed eyes filled her albums. The pictures broke my heart...but didn't suprise me.
Her dad was a deacon. Her mom volunteered her time in various ministries at our church. Both sets of grandparents loved the Lord, and her. On the surface, things looked so solid. But at home, the only prayer time occured just before the meal. The Bible was rarely opened. More time was given to the Easter dress than the Easter message.
Her dad used to tell me, "I just have to let her mom handle everything-I can't deal with her now that she's no longer a little girl." Her mom used to tell me she wished "her husband was more involved." I was 25, and had a whopping 3 years of marriage experience, and a one year old girl. This resume made "parking lot counseling" rather difficut. So I usually just listened and then offered a few nuggets of encouragement.
I pray that she is a prodigal who will return. I fear that thorns have chocked the plant. Or worse. Maybe their was no root to begin with.
Though I was very green as a husband, father, and youth pastor, I knew that more needed to be happening at home. I knew that dad needed to be intentionally involved. I knew he needed to lead in prayer and reconciliation. I knew he needed to keep hugging and guiding. I wish I had found a better way to communicate this.
But, I'm resting in God's sovereignty. I'm trusting in His hand, not mine. And I'm trying to communicate, as loud I can here in Boone, that mom and dad (and especially dad) are key. The home is the green house for godliness. May I heed my own words, for the sake of my children, and the glory of God.
I just reconnected with this girl from my old youth group, through Facebook. I haven't seen her, or spoken to her, in years. So when I got a "friend suggestion," I was interested to see how she was doing. Her pictures told me everything...and I mean everything.
Large bottles of liquor, suggestive positions, and glazed eyes filled her albums. The pictures broke my heart...but didn't suprise me.
Her dad was a deacon. Her mom volunteered her time in various ministries at our church. Both sets of grandparents loved the Lord, and her. On the surface, things looked so solid. But at home, the only prayer time occured just before the meal. The Bible was rarely opened. More time was given to the Easter dress than the Easter message.
Her dad used to tell me, "I just have to let her mom handle everything-I can't deal with her now that she's no longer a little girl." Her mom used to tell me she wished "her husband was more involved." I was 25, and had a whopping 3 years of marriage experience, and a one year old girl. This resume made "parking lot counseling" rather difficut. So I usually just listened and then offered a few nuggets of encouragement.
I pray that she is a prodigal who will return. I fear that thorns have chocked the plant. Or worse. Maybe their was no root to begin with.
Though I was very green as a husband, father, and youth pastor, I knew that more needed to be happening at home. I knew that dad needed to be intentionally involved. I knew he needed to lead in prayer and reconciliation. I knew he needed to keep hugging and guiding. I wish I had found a better way to communicate this.
But, I'm resting in God's sovereignty. I'm trusting in His hand, not mine. And I'm trying to communicate, as loud I can here in Boone, that mom and dad (and especially dad) are key. The home is the green house for godliness. May I heed my own words, for the sake of my children, and the glory of God.
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