But, can I humbly, yet firmly, give one small piece of advice during this time of global upheaval, specifically in regards to the Church? Parents, teach your children to love the Church.
I am the first to acknowledge my grief, angst and utter confusion at the overall chaos our world is currently experiencing. “Appalled” could be an appropriate word for the injustices that I see and read about taking place in every corner of the globe. From the halls of the rich to the tents of the impoverished, discord & injustice can be found and heard discussed openly, often with much vehemence. However, what I find to be quite disheartening is that this “vehemence” is also becoming commonplace in the pews of the church. Social media is rampant with ongoing conversations over injustices and horrible atrocities taking place inside of the church that need to be exposed.
Now, please hear me clearly. I am in no way stating that these conversations are inappropriate. Instead, on the converse, I would state that there have been voices that have been squashed for so long by the powerful that indeed should be brought to the table and given a chance to represent the voiceless. However, being the person that I am, and knowing my limitations with argumentation and debate, I will leave these discussions to other people more qualified to express thoughts much more eloquently than I.
My encouragement today, however, is to Christian parents during this time of confusion and angst. I had told myself that I would never dole out parental instruction in written form, because “who am I” to be an authority in one of the toughest jobs around? One is always learning under this job description called “parenting” and anyone who communicates otherwise is not being truthful or they are utterly deceiving themselves! ;)
But, can I humbly, yet firmly, give one small piece of advice during this time of global upheaval, specifically in regards to the Church? Parents, teach your children to love the Church. Our children will hear about so many evil injustices going on within the Church, whether it be talked about around the kitchen table, on christian radio in the car, or on their various Twitter feeds as they are doing their daily scrolling. Even for me, a now older woman, sometimes the verbiage can bejusttoo much! The flow of information is continual and therefore, it also can be very discouraging, bringing rise to possible cynicism or the lack of hope.
But as a parent who has now become a mentor/coach to her grown children rather than a constant parental guide, I humbly encourage young parents to love the Church. Seek ways to minister to the Church together as a couple, if possible. And then, turn around and teach your children to do the same.
Are there horrible stories that need to be told and injustices that need to be revealed? A resounding, Yes! The Twittersphere and other social platforms will continue to flood the media with information and many times, rightly so. But if we were having coffee together today and I could give maybe just one bit of advice to you as a young parent:
Love the Church universally & the local expressions of it.
Be a person of Hope regarding the Church and
Teach your children to do the same.
Don’t allow the root of bitterness to creep into your thinking concerning this blessed body of believers. For unfortunately, if it does then that could communicate a cynicism to your children which has the potential to provide them with fertile ground for it to flourish in years to come.
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