Parents
04 Mar 2010 Leave a Comment
“My son, hear the instruction of your father and do not forsake the law of your mother; for they will be a graceful ornament on your head, and chains about your neck.” Prov. 1: 8-9 (NIV)
“My son, keep your father’s command, and do not forsake the law of your mother. Bind them continually upon your heart; tie them around your neck.” Prov. 6:20-21 (NIV)
“A wise son makes a father glad, but a foolish man despises his mother.” Prov. 15:20 (NIV)
“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ‘Honor your father and mother,’ which is the first commandment with promise: ‘that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.’” Eph. 6: 1-3 (NIV)
There’s a reason the Bible talks so much about listening to our parents. Of course, none of us have perfect parents but God has given them the job of caring for and guiding us as we grow up and He expects us to respect them. They know a lot more about things than we do. Yeah, I know, teens don’t like to admit that; I’m often guilty of thinking I know better. But let’s face it, they’ve lived on this earth longer than us and even if they can’t text and facebook as fast as we can, they have wisdom. Wisdom is a big topic in the Bible, especially in Proverbs. Without wisdom we will fail. As much as we teens like doing it on our own, we need to realize that we need the voice of wisdom to guide us. God has put our parents in our lives for that very reason.
When it comes to romantic relationships, we need to not shut our parents out. Let them know what’s going on. Talk about your feelings with them. (A quick note: I understand that not everyone has the communication lines open with their parents. Sometimes one or both parents aren’t involved. In that case, let me suggest you find someone older than you who’s a strong Christian to be able to talk to and seek wisdom from.) Your parents went through the same age your at. They experienced romantic relationships. They will be able to relate.
Don’t try and hide your relationships from your parents. Maybe you don’t agree with them on how, when and with who to have a relationship with but instead of shutting them out of that area in your life, talk to them about it. Discuss why they have the standards they do and why you have yours. Your parents might be able to point out some things you haven’t considered. Often they can see things you can’t because you’re emotionally involved and they can help save you a lot of heartache. Just remember, don’t clam up and hide your feelings. You’re parents love you and want to help. They’re not trying to run your life, they’re just trying to make sure they fulfill the duty God has laid upon them; to raise you up to be a child of God, sold out for Him.
Now, after saying all this, I must confess, I’m not always that quick to tell my parents about all my feelings. Sometimes there are misunderstandings between us. Sometimes we disagree. But if we take time to work things out together, things go much smoother. I don’t have the burden of hiding anything from them. My parents are so supportive of me. I know that when I am ready to be in a serious relationship someday that they will help me to stay pure and to follow God’s commandments. It’s so freeing when I can talk to them openly about all these ‘teenage feelings’.
Remember, parents are there to help you. To guide you. To keep you on track. God wants us to respect them and listen to them.
Trusting God
08 Jan 2010 Leave a Comment
in Marriage, Singleness, Trust, Waiting
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)
It’s hard to trust God. Especially about your future in regards to marriage. In my last post (here) I talked about needing to focus on the Lord first and foremost. It’s so easy to get sidetracked, though. As we follow God’s plan for our lives we are tempted to look around. Instead of being content in our singleness and using that for His glory we begin to question the Father’s plan or even try and ‘suggest’ other ways.I find myself doing this.
“Oh, God, did you see that young man who just passed by? He looked like ‘the one’. Are you sure I’m not supposed to go with him?”
God gently reminds us, “My child, they are going in a different direction from the one I have called you to go. Follow me. I have a special plan for you. And I have already chosen the man you will marry. Trust me.”
I turn back and continue to focus on the Lord. But it doesn’t take long to get distracted again. “God! God! There he is! I just know he’s ‘the one’! Look, he’s going…almost the same direction You’ve called me to go. And, and he is one of Your children!And, and he’s focused on You…for the most part…and he’s…”
The Father interrupts my excuses. “Child, focus on me. He is not going the same direction as I’ve called you to go.” He smiles down gently at me. “I have chosen your husband for you. Wait for him. It won’t be long, but for now, focus on me. Trust me.”
I know one day a young man will come up alongside me. He will be going the exact same direction as the Lord has called me to go. He will be focused on God too. I know my heavenly Father will bring us together. But I still get distracted easily. That’s why it’s a battle. A battle every day to focus on the Lord and to trust Him. To trust Him for the right husband. To trust Him for the right timing when I will meet my husband-to-be. To trust Him.
The good news is, God is much better at leading our lives than we are. We always tend to make a mess of things. If we commit our way to the Lord, though, He will make our paths straight. Don’t be afraid to trust God. Trust Him enough to be comfortable as a single. You don’t need to go looking for a husband or wife. God will bring them along when the time is right. “And that is an encouraging thought,” as Gandalf tells Frodo.
nataliecorder
