I am a protective parent. I make no apologies for being a protective parent. I stalk my kid's facebook, I check his text messages, I ask questions and I express opinions... and oh, do I have opinions.
The world is a much scarier place nowadays than it was when I was young. Or... maybe it's just that the "world" has more access to our kids now than it used to. I don't know... but it saddens me, and it scares me and yes, it makes me angry.
Anyone who knows me has heard me at least once make the statement, "I don't like other people's kids." And anyone who knows me well, knows that I'm only half-joking when I say that. You see, I work hard at being a parent to my son. I think and rethink each decision that I make when it comes to him... and I've seen the effect that other kids can have on him.
My son is not perfect.. and I don't expect him to be. But it makes me angry when I see other kids around him that are just heading down the wrong road. It makes me angry when I see a lack of respect and a disregard for authority. It makes me sad when I see teenage girls walking around in skirts, dresses and shorts that show more leg than most of my bathing suits used to show. To read about a brawl involving two high school basketball teams and fans and to watch the adults who are supposed to be in charge of the situation point fingers and play the blame game makes me angry. Who is leading these kids? It makes me sad to see a generation of young people who seem so lost... our teens are in crisis and it's alarming to me that there seems to be a total lack of concern from so many adults. Am I judgemental? You betcha! And I don't apologize for being judgemental... at least I've noticed the problem.
BUT... my judgement has not helped anything. Sitting around and seething and worrying has not helped. I haven't been praying for them. Of course I pray for my son. And I pray for a few individual kids whom I know are having problems here and there... but I haven't really dedicated prayer to our teens at large.
Why not? Do I think that God can't handle it? Is praying for ALL of our teens "too big" of a job for Him? Of course not. To be honest, I had too narrow of a view. So, I'm starting a prayer challenge for the month of February.
Who am I challenging? Well, I can tell you right now... I'm not challenging God. No, I'm challenging myself... to pray every day. Diligently, compassionately and whole-heartedly. I'm challenging myself to pray for all of our teens... and for all of those who come in contact with them. And I'm challenging myself to look for signs of God's work... to open my eyes and see what He is doing.... because I know prayer works.
If you feel moved, please join me in my challenge.
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