Think a minute… Recently on television I saw the mother and father of a young 15-year-old girl being interviewed.
Their daughter’s teenage boyfriend had told her that the only way they could be together was for them to kill themselves. So the 15-year-old girl took a gun and shot herself in the head.
But when her boyfriend saw her dead, he became afraid and ran away.
I watched the parents of this young girl who killed herself break down and cry on TV. They were begging all parents to get closer to our children, and to especially really understand what our kids are feeling and going through in their own life.
It doesn’t matter how much success you and I have in our jobs and careers. Even if we get the best education, become leaders with high titles and respected by many people, or if make heaps of money or have the highest titles.
But if we fail in our marriage and with our children. If we fail to love and raise our children to be confident, mature, honest people who passionately love God and others.
None of our other successes can make up for us failing as parents. It’s the one job we must not fail!
Being a successful parent is a tough job and big responsibility. To love, teach, and shape a human being wisely from the moment they start life is overwhelming! After all, babies come into our world with no manual or instructions.
Then, as they grow their needs change. Plus, each child is different, so what works with one of our kids, may not work with the other.
Yet even when we make mistakes, we can still get closer to our children so they will both respect us and also count us as their close friends. Many times the kids who rebel and make bad choices are the ones with parents who just make strict rules, but they are not close to their children.
It’s usually the kids who are close to their parents who really respect, love, and want to care for their parents when they’re old.
But no matter how old your children are, it’s never too late to start being a better parent.
Why not ask Jesus to forgive you for all your mistakes and to take charge, so He can start changing you with His love, power, and wisdom? It’s only with Jesus in complete charge of your character that you can become the parent and friend your kids need.