This episode was difficult for me as my children are older and are pushing back on the biblical worldview we tried to raise them with. In the days following this episode my mind was torn between believing the enemy’s lies in my ear and trusting the Truth that God and The Holy Spirit whispered in my heart.
We have an enormous responsibility as parents. We must take it seriously and put in actual effort and action to teach our children the truth of God’s word. The noise of the world is loud and we must offer diligent guidance to counter the world’s messages.
But Momma if the enemy is using this podcast or other messages reminding us of our role to discourage you, to suggest that you are a failure, that it’s too hard, that you might as well give up - please take those thoughts captive and take it to God. Ask Him to encourage you. God can redeem our mistakes. Pray for your kids and ask God to redeem the areas where you may have dropped the ball. Ask him how to start fresh and move forward with renewed purpose. Ask him to take the areas of success and water those seeds in your kids hearts.
And continue to cover your kids in prayer.
The idea that our kids have a “fully formed” worldview by 13 and illustrations that that worldview is like “cement” were what the enemy used as ammunition against me for a couple of days. My kids are 14 and 17. The 14 year old is complacent and uninterested in matters of faith. The 17 year old is questioning all of it and pushing back against it. Part of me wanted to give in to fear that it was too late. That I had failed. But God reminded me of my own story. At 14 I had been raised in an unbelieving home with almost no church exposure. I met a new friend who invited me to youth group with her. Over the next 6-8 months God pursued me there and I gave my life to Christ at the end of ninth grade. That was 33 years ago and I have never looked back. If God could melt my cemented fully formed worldview in a few months, he can work with my kids who do have an understanding of those 7 pillars from the last episode. They may be indifferent or questioning now at 14-17. But they know the truth. My role is shifting as they get older. I need to be open to difficult conversations. I need to stay in my Bible and seek good teaching so I am ready for those tough questions. I need to continue to pursue God for myself not only to set a good example but to allow Him to sustain me. And most of all I need to pray pray pray for my kids. I cannot give up. And I won’t.
Kelly, thank you for sharing this. I love your heart for God and for your children. Like you, all of my kids are beyond the "13-year-old cement" age. I understand the temptation to feel like it's too late and we've failed. Remember that Dr. Barna is a sociologist and deals with data, stats, and averages. As you so beautifully illustrate with your life, there are always exceptions. Also, remember that with Jesus, there is always hope. I love you.
This episode was difficult for me as my children are older and are pushing back on the biblical worldview we tried to raise them with. In the days following this episode my mind was torn between believing the enemy’s lies in my ear and trusting the Truth that God and The Holy Spirit whispered in my heart.
We have an enormous responsibility as parents. We must take it seriously and put in actual effort and action to teach our children the truth of God’s word. The noise of the world is loud and we must offer diligent guidance to counter the world’s messages.
But Momma if the enemy is using this podcast or other messages reminding us of our role to discourage you, to suggest that you are a failure, that it’s too hard, that you might as well give up - please take those thoughts captive and take it to God. Ask Him to encourage you. God can redeem our mistakes. Pray for your kids and ask God to redeem the areas where you may have dropped the ball. Ask him how to start fresh and move forward with renewed purpose. Ask him to take the areas of success and water those seeds in your kids hearts.
And continue to cover your kids in prayer.
The idea that our kids have a “fully formed” worldview by 13 and illustrations that that worldview is like “cement” were what the enemy used as ammunition against me for a couple of days. My kids are 14 and 17. The 14 year old is complacent and uninterested in matters of faith. The 17 year old is questioning all of it and pushing back against it. Part of me wanted to give in to fear that it was too late. That I had failed. But God reminded me of my own story. At 14 I had been raised in an unbelieving home with almost no church exposure. I met a new friend who invited me to youth group with her. Over the next 6-8 months God pursued me there and I gave my life to Christ at the end of ninth grade. That was 33 years ago and I have never looked back. If God could melt my cemented fully formed worldview in a few months, he can work with my kids who do have an understanding of those 7 pillars from the last episode. They may be indifferent or questioning now at 14-17. But they know the truth. My role is shifting as they get older. I need to be open to difficult conversations. I need to stay in my Bible and seek good teaching so I am ready for those tough questions. I need to continue to pursue God for myself not only to set a good example but to allow Him to sustain me. And most of all I need to pray pray pray for my kids. I cannot give up. And I won’t.
Kelly, thank you for sharing this. I love your heart for God and for your children. Like you, all of my kids are beyond the "13-year-old cement" age. I understand the temptation to feel like it's too late and we've failed. Remember that Dr. Barna is a sociologist and deals with data, stats, and averages. As you so beautifully illustrate with your life, there are always exceptions. Also, remember that with Jesus, there is always hope. I love you.