What Kind of Parent are You?

As I sat in the youth at Family Church, I had so many thoughts run through my mind.  What do these kids go back to when they go home?  Here are hundreds of kids that are at a place of peace.  They get to spend an hour or two listening to the word of God.  They are surrounded by so many that truly care for their soul.  They care about their eternal life.  But what happens when they go home?  After life has been spoken over them, they leave with confidence but are they hit with negativity as soon as they walk in the door?  Is the very life that was just spoken over them sucked right out of them?  Is their mother or father passed out on the couch or do they go back to an empty home?  Are they left to fight for their life by themselves?  I saw souls that were desperately searching for more.  I saw teenagers trying so hard to impress others.  What does it take to teach our young kids the importance of life?  The brevity of life?  What kind of parent do you want to be?  Do you want to be known as the "cool" parent where every child always wants to go to your home because anything goes?  Sometimes it's the parents who are trying so desperately to seek the approval of others more so than the child.  It's time that we as parents step up and realize that the greatest foundation begins at home. 

I want to be the mom that kids come to for advice.   I want them to see my gentle spirit and open arms.  I want them to see that I truly care about them.  I want them to see my home as a safe place.  A place where they can run to in times of trouble or when they really need someone to be a parent and give them advice from the word of God.  Let's not fill our kids heads with the negativity of this world but the good in this world.  Our kids need parents now more than ever.  Their minds are filled with junk everywhere they turn.  TV.  Music.  Internet.  Magazines.  Movies.     There comes a point in life where we must realize it's no longer about us.  When you choose to become a parent, you take the responsibility of raising that child and to raise them to be the best that they can be. 

What are you teaching your kids?  More importantly, what are you teaching your kids that truly matters? 

It's time for us as parents to step up and remember where the greatest life lessons are taught and learned...and that's in the home. 

Ask yourself this question...What kind of parent are you?  Is it time become better?  Start now.