Deuteronomy 4:9

Deuteronomy 4:9
Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.

"She doesn't understand why I am not like the other parents" My daughter now 12 and in junior high is discovering more of the world and how most people indulge in it.. Each day I see her grow more into a young woman I am reminded of myself at her age.. The Scripture above speaks to me little different far more personally then others. It tells me to remember where I was when it all began.. Disobedience, freewill, lying, stealing, all the wrong choices.. It was her age that I began to notice the world and all the fun it had to offer with drugs, alcohol, sexual immoralities the list can go on...

It began with a simple walks to the park with some friends... Pep rallies in 8th grade. Hanging out all hours of the days in the streets with friends. It was all to easy for me.. I can imagine how much easier it has become now...

I have always been very honest with my girls about where I came from and the challenges I faced as a child growing up.. Having to much freedom allowed me to make choices that were not the right ones.. Some say I am to bold to let them know so much about my life. But this scripture reminds me I need to be even bolder.... I love my girls far more than I ever loved myself..

The scripture reminds us to WATCH CLOSELY, so that you don't forget what your eyes have seen or let it slip from your heart. With Jesus blood I am redeemed and forgiven for the choices I made by repentance and surrender to God.. My daughter asks some simple things out of life, "Can I go to the football game after school with my friends?" Answer is always the same "Not at this time unless you don't mind if I and your sister tag along". Response is usually the same "never mind" at 12 regardless of what your friends may be doing I know what I was doing and I know not much has changed in the world for the better so the temptations are still the same.

So if your 12year old is looking for a football game this is something you as a family should be engaging in.. Other examples . "Mom can I walk around the mall with so so this weekend".. "Sure, we can all go together"... "Never mind" or "Why cant I go with them, their parents don't mind and trust them"

Again WATCH CLOSELY... I was that 12 year old saying the same thing knowing darn well what I was asking to do, walking the mall hanging with my friends, smoking, looking to meet guys, having all the freedom a 12 year old should not be having...

So I feel encouraged by this scripture above which ensures me I am not the mean, single and overprotected mom that other adults like to label me as.. I believe with Gods strength the drugs, the rebellion, the ignorance, and the interests can be lessened and redirected with love and wisdom through TRUTH..
I am the child of God which lost her way because there was no one around who loved me more than themselves who wanted to take my life and relationship with my creator and make it a priority.. I remind my preteen she has the rest of her life to worry about what other people are doing around you. For now anything she would like to do in regards to exploring her youth she needs to speak to God about it first then myself and we can find an easy workable solution based on truth and awareness..

Sometimes as parents we think "Oh we did that let them be kids".. But do you really think they wont have the same exposures as you did.. If that's the case Your not watching very closely if your allowing your children to take the walk to the mall without an adult or allowing them to hang out at after school games without an adult.. (Not as a overpowering adult but as a family enjoying the good things in life together) Yes I agree they all seem as if they are harmless activities and yes we want to trust our children to make the right choices as they encounter things and we want them to have a social life and be successful in their adolescence and not feel sheltered from life itself..

But WATCH CLOSELY because These children are our future generations.. The freewill they were born with, but without direction and love they can fall into patterns that others present as harmless.. Any direction apart from God is HARMLESS. I always think if tomorrow is the day for me I know that my daughters will remember how much I loved them and why I wanted them to build their relationship with God and learn to rely on Him and His love and presence in their lives. They can find these great successes in relationships and social lives by introducing to them youth groups in the churches, activities in the churches focused on our youth and their challenges in being an adolescence in today's society...We as parents were given children not only as a gift from God but a responsibility to God..
Examples at my church are small groups for youth, bible studies offered for youth, Events ran by the youth directors of the church... Contact your church get involved and discover exactly what they have to offer to your children.. God tells us to mold our children..

Prayerfully you take the time to listen and grow with your children and do not be afraid to be labeled mean over bearing parent sometimes as long as it is done with love and truth.. Its not the worlds decision how you introduce life to your children. Lead them instead NOT to allow the world to dictate to them...
Love you
God Bless
Kristie

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Ephesians 6:1

Children, obey your
parents in the Lord: for this is right.
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We Are Humbled Brothers & Passionate Sisters in Christ