One thing I love witnessing on Sundays, is a person’s public declaration of their faith through baptism. Many times, it gets me thinking something completely different from what they went through to get to that point, but many times listening to their story ignites a thought process of how I could relate it to my current “sitch.”
A little while ago, we heard a story of a woman who struggled with depression. She gave us a brief history of her “church life” and how she went through some of the environments on Sundays throughout elementary, and middle school. She then shared that when she got to High School, she became depressed to a point where she was hospitalized. Obviously, things turned around for the better when she became an adult because we got to hear first hand about how Our Father pursued her, how she accepted Christ into her heart, and how she made the decision to publicly declare her faith.
This is what got me.
As a parent, do I wish for my children to go through the “valley?” Of course not! If, by doing so, will they appreciate His love more? I would hope so, but isn’t that risky?
This reminds me of the story of the “Sinful Woman” as told in Luke, where Jesus tells Simon this example:
“Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?”
I mentioned that God pursued the woman who was sharing her story and getting baptized. This is not to say that He doesn’t pursue us all, it was just awesome hearing how her “many sins were forgiven,” and that her “great love has shown.” Now that I personalize this, and we start talking about MY children… man, talk about a way to test your faith.
So here’s a question I had for y’all.
Yes we should. You can’t learn unless you have been there.
To what point do we “let” them though, and is that necessarily even true? Do you need to learn that sharks will tear your face off by actually swimming with them?
I think it depends on the situation really. If it’s something that won’t hurt/kill my son for instance. I’m gonna let him do it, because he’s more likely to learn.
Depending on the situation, yes. Letting them do it? It’s so much easier said than done…
That’s a tough one. It’s always tough for a parent. I would try as much as i could for her to be in trouble…in the end…it will have to be her choice…BUT…
i delight in His word that says, He directs our paths. and even paul says that he was seperated from birth…so God some how let him become this christian killer before saving him….so that always keeps me sane…
Knowing that God has the ultimate control…
That’s the test of faith right there, wouldn’t you agree?
Tough question…. even as Jen and I are watching FNL (plowed through season 1 btw) those types of questions come up. I have a feeling that as my daughters get older I will get more and more protective. I don’t want to see them hurt. But…….. on the other hand I do realize that there will be growth times in their lives where they need to “figure it out on their own” and see their ultimately dependency on Christ.
Absolutely, and when it’s all said and done what are our jobs, really? To teach them how to have a faith of their own, right?
I prefer to counsel my children about decisions they will make, but I always tell them: “you can learn two ways in life. By advice or by experience. Learning from other’s mistakes is less painful than learning from yours, which is is always more painful”. Your call!
Yes! I’m stealing this btw.
You crook! 🙂
You can’t steal it, because I’m giving it away for free. Act now and I’ll throw in the “advice soundtrack”. Act while supplies last!
I’m with Michael in that it depends on the situation and Moe in that I would counsel them to make the right decision before they do something wrong. If someone doesn’t want to listen, you can’t force them…not even (to an extent) your kids.
Well, you can’t force them UNLESS they’re your kids!
I kid.
Maybe.
I think it really depends on the mistake. Some mistakes are life threatening, others are worth having.
Is it okay for a kid to have their heart broken? To make a mistake that might get them an F in a class? To try with all their might and then fail because of a few foolish mistakes?
Those are the kinds of mistakes kids need to go through.
On the other hand, if the mistake will have them hit by a car or electrocuted or something I think we should steer them away. lol
Man, the day I see a broken heart… somebody’s face is going to get punched in.
Just sayin’.
Yes–to a degree. If it is going to cause a lot of damage–no. Otherwise I say yes. Some lessons need to learned at a young age and in a somewhat controlled environment. Waiting to learn them could prove disastrous.
Absolutely agree here, better to learn sooner than later, but I guess it still depends… bah.
Yes.
I’m proof.
Wait. Maybe you don’t want kids growing up like me. 🙂
Hah!
Well, no yeah you’re right.
Things which do not ruin their future or end their lives can certainly be let out to be a lesson for them but certainly not big things.
Deep. :-/