Monday, February 24, 2014

THE POWER OF YOUR INFLUENCE

“You can never really live anyone else's life, not even your child's. The influence you exert is through your own life, and what you've become yourself. – Eleanor Roosevelt

In last Monday’s blog, Lost Voices in the Church, I commented on the first of several questions I received from a Millennial sister (those born in the 1980's to early 2000).  She shared with me some concerns of young women in her age group.  I’d like to continue the conversation with a second question: How can we model to our kids what it means to be Salt and Light in the world today?  Referring to that familiar passage from Matthew 5:13-16; I believe she inadvertently answered her own question.  “Model” being the operative word.   Many experts agree that the most influential person in a child’s life is the parent and more specifically the “same sex” parent.
One can complain all you want about the negative impact of music, media, and movies on the changing youth culture, as adults and parents we still hold the “Trump card.”  Here are some personal thoughts.  Join the conversation by adding to or expounding on these in the comment section of this blog:
 --  Be the Parent not a Friend – Commit to rearing your child with godly principles. (Deut.6:4-9)

·     -- Be Present in Your Child’s Life. Talk to them about their interest, and friends. Listen to them.
·        -- Be Consistent but fair especially when you discipline.  (Matthew 5:37; James 5:12)
·       --  Be Careful of the people and places you expose your children to. (I Corin. 5:9-11)
·        -- Beware of the temptation to force your aspirations onto your child. Shape your child’s life. Glorify God in both yours and theirs.(Proverbs 22:6)



2 comments:

  1. Excellent scriptures. I totally agree, that parents hold the "trump card" We"ll have to answer for training our children our Creator's way. We have to let them see us reading the bible, applying it in our lives, see us praying, see our faith, joy and peace when suffering occurs. We have to make time to have family bible studies with them. We can't hold them to tight and can't be to loose with them. Balance isn't easy. Especially when they become teenagers. I've always said "teenage years should be outlaw" :) Of course if we ourselves is obedient to his instructions he'll give us what we need to inculcate them to our children.

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  2. Sister, we are in total "agreement!" Keeping our Focus on God, Moderation in all things and Staying Balanced as Pastor says in our Personal, Public, Professional lives is crucial to being good examples. Our young people shouldn't have to look any further than "home" to find Integrity..that's not often the case. "Turn up the Light!!"

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