Those Sensitive Teen Years

You are not alone

     The battle for our youth is one that is close to my heart.  I look forward to sharing what insights I may have gained.  

     Every parent should be aware that it is not uncommon for their children to start exercising independence during their teen years.  The changing needs of a youth can motivate them to look beyond their home in a quest to connect with those in their age group with whom they share common interests and curiosities. The need for children to stretch their wings and a parent's lost ground as their source of provision can cause friction within a home.  Instead of a smooth transition, it can become a grievious tug of war for power with the child intent on gaining ground and the parent resistant at relinquishing it.  And as if this wasn't enough to stir the nest, their choice of friends and dates can also be alarming.

     During this sensitive time of transition it is important to remain close to our Lord.  To cover our children in prayer and seek Him on their behalf.  It is also important to prayerfully consider the approach we use that will often be felt by the entire family.  Do let your children know that you are for them and that they have their best friend (after Jesus) at home in their parents.  Ask the Lord to help you create a safe haven for them where they can open up to you without guilt and condemnation.  I think most of us, if not all, can relate to a time in our lives when we learned that our parents were not God and will make mistakes.  That realization gave us a relational view which birthed a new understanding and compassion.  With that in mind I want to bring attention to the other side of the coin.  To see that our Princes and Princesses are also subject to the same weaknesses and we should deal gently with their ignorant and wayward inclinations (Hebrews 5).  They should know that we can sympathize with their weaknesses and have the confidence to boldly approach us, knowing they will find in us the love and grace of God Himself (Hebrews 4).  This is the example we have been given by Father God through our forerunner, Jesus our Lord. 

     Our homes should be a safe haven for our children during the precious time God entrusts them to our care.  May we, by the grace and provision of God, be good stewards of these sweet gifts from him delivered into our hands.  It is a special role our Heavenly Father has honored us with.  A golden opportunity to display his guiding love.  Not an opportunity to lord it over for the mere display of power.  We can restrict their flight with power and fear but their hearts will be won over by his love.             

     Whether our children know it or not, they will still need the guidance of their loving parents as they make their transition into adulthood.  Don't be afraid to set boundaries.  Even God has placed boundaries before us as we make the transition from infancy to adulthood.  What we don't want to do is imprison them to fear but captivate their hearts by a display of his secure love.

     Our roles as parents may not be too far from that of our feathered friends who lovingly watch over their children while allowing them to venture out of the nest as they test their wings and learn to fly.      

     Find comfort in knowing that Father God has gone through this journey before you.  Your challenges are not foreign to him, you are not alone.  He is more than willing to share his insights with you as you turn to him for guidance.  And beyond the bible being our manual in life it is first and foremost a story of love.  That greater story of love found within its pages cannot be known at heart without his Spirit making his home in ours.   If you have not accepted God's precious gift of love in Jesus do prayerfully consider inviting him into your heart.  Jesus knocks on the door of your heart and patiently waits for you to hear him, open the door, and invite him in.  He won't come barging in, He's a loving gentleman.  And if you will open to him and invite him into your heart you will find He's come with help to equip you through this darkened world with its many voices competing for your attention.  He offers you his comforter, his Holy Spirit who not only knows him well but also knows every thread in the fabric of your circumstance.  He will successfully guide you through. 

     Know that you are not alone.  Father God being relational and a Father intent on having one happy family has also provided a network by which his family can function and grow.  A network of branches nourished and rooted in the Vine.  In our brothers and sisters living in Christ we have other members to this body who can provide help along the way.  All of us have been equipped with a special gift from him for the edification of his body.  And as those members stay plugged into him as their source they will radiate his life and pierce the darkness with his love.