“Wait! I’m not ready for this,” my brain pleaded. Too late. Experiencing the miracle of birth for the first time was unchartered territory and emotionally overwhelming on so many levels. My wife and I soon became focused on defending our new normal against the forces of evil; defending our castle with bleach and anti-bacterial wipes to valiantly attack stains I had only heard about from others. Our duty was clear; rest when you can, always have a spare sippy-cup ready and always make it to daycare before late charges kicked in at closing. We were just busy doing life.
Now, it occurs to me that the social and cultural values of 1992 were closer to those of the Greatest Generation of WWII, fifty years earlier, than they are to today; about half that much time. You could be tempted to point to rapid changes in technology that have affected how we problem solve. Or, perhaps immigration, legal or otherwise, impacting the overall social chemistry; but that would be a bit short-sighted and show a lack of Christian love. No, it’s something else; the moral erosion continues to flow through our streets.
So, where is the discontent and dysfunction coming from that we’re exposed to every single day? Some cast blame on countries like the United States for being the cause of the world’s woes. Our reach is greater, our responsibility is greater; many times setting the benchmark for freedom of expression and achievement for the rest of the world. But with freedom come challenges from within our own borders; we become fractured over what used to be normal rules of behavior, personal responsibility and an appreciation from a historical perspective of what it took to get here. Is it just the knowledge gap widening or is it something else? In my mind, the biggest threat is not the things we can’t control but rather what we have chosen to minimize; the importance of traditional family values. I realize that broken homes are a reality; but at the rate we’re going now, references to eating supper at the table together, attending church, chores and curfew for teenagers and even the ability to count change will become as unrealistic as willingly putting your phone away during a group gathering, reasoning a point of view or thinking that the source of clean water is anything other than the faucet tap at home.
Could it be that the real disconnect is that We are producing the next generation of decision makers to neither be independent thinkers nor emphasize bringing your best effort; instead, allowing entitlement and making up the rules as they go evolve into accepted norms? If growing the family was not our primary objective when the kids were young; then shame on us. If passing on an ethical, virtuous Christian worldview was not an emphasis or the lure of personal wealth came at the expense of our family; what legacy does that leave for our new young adults?
Yes, parenting brings out your best and your worst. You make a lot of snap judgment calls and you pray, a lot. Single parents; God bless you. You have challenges that some of us don’t fully appreciate. Believe that God has a plan and that you have a part. Don’t lose faith. Teens; you face a daily attack of what the world says you should be and do. Those pressures are real and they are overwhelming at times. Find a mentor or, if your peers are creating a negative influence, a fellowship of believers that can nurture your God-given talents and abilities.
Remember the one resource that trumps everything else when things seem to be going all wrong; faithful prayer. That is your weapon against the Evil One and the attacks on your values. Take courage; the gaps we’re experiencing are never too big for our Champion and Advocate, the Holy Spirit. No matter the circumstance, our Heavenly Father will see us through us on this journey.
You were made for this.
“Three-minute exposure; a snapshot of life’s imperfect harmony,” by Stew McAuley.
Encouraging your Christian Worldview.
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