Monday, October 3, 2011

The Hardest Thing for Youth and Parents….



“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.” Ephesians 6:1

            Working in youth ministry for a long time, I have come to notice the hardest commandment for most youth to follow. Do you know what that is? It is honoring your father and mother. It is the most difficult to do this especially if you have a rough home. Today, I just want to encourage all those people that are young reading this (though there are not many) to honor your parents. Love on them and just do what they ask. Pretend, if you must, that whatever they are asking you to do, is not them speaking but Jesus himself. Trust me; I know that it can be tough. But there are many benefits to honoring them. If you live in a non-believing household, it can truly show the love of God to them. It is like witnessing to them just by your actions. You become a light that shines Jesus like a beacon. How awesome is that? For those in a Christian house hold, it helps out your family. It takes off stress from their day and allows them to take it easy a little. Just listening to them and doing what they ask can truly bless them. Its called loving on them; they are the bread winners after all.

And Now for the Parents
“Fathers (this also includes mothers), do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in training and instruction of the Lord.” Ephesians 6:4
            Parents, I hate to say this, but you have a bigger responsibility then your children. You are correct when acknowledging that your children should honor you; however, do you know what the term exasperate means? It means “to irritate or provoke to a high degree; to annoy extremely.”(www.dictionary.com).  The biggest complaint I get from youth are that you guys annoy and bother them all the time. I don’t pretend to know your household situation, but being in my 20’s I can relate to both camps of this passage. Do you remember what it was like when you were their age? How your parents talked to you? In other words, put yourself in their shoes. Try to remember what it was like to be a youth. This could help you realize if you are exasperating them or not.
            Even more importantly, you guys are supposed to truly train them up in the Lord. This means numerous things; however, to put it in a few words, remember how Jesus trains us. He never gives us anything we can’t handle and he constantly loves us and is there for us. It is true that he gives us commands on what to do in life; however, he led us by example. Whatever he askes of us, he did it first. He showed us how to serve by serving us. Also, think about how many times you need to go to God for forgiveness. Do the same for your children. Show your kids how to honor others by honoring them. Anyway……. This is just some food for thought. Good Luck!

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