The Big Bad World

Kemper, Bliss, Judson, Courson, and Shepherd thanking our troops for serving

There are many different mindsets when it comes to parenting. The further into the job you get, the more varied the responses and results. By the time most children reach 14-17, parents can be either very “hands off” or white knuckled. Both are wrong. Lemme tell you why.

The thing about Christian parents, and homeschooling Christian parents especially, is that they worry so much about when their kiddos get into the “big bad world.” They are constantly worried about shielding their children from the world’s influence. Sounds rational, reasonable and protective, right?

I would be lying if I did not say that I had no qualms at all in this regard, but fearful–I am not. And here’s why:

Folks, either we have raised children who the world will change, or children who will change the world.

Let that sink in for a second.

You see, I have been asking myself a question recently. How did Daniel’s parents raise a young man who–dragged off to Babylon to serve in the king’s court and intentionally educated for years in the Babylonian culture–stayed true to his faith his entire life and changed three different dynasties?

How did Joseph’s parents raise the kind of man that when he was sold into slavery at 17, he still rose to prominence in Potiphar’s house, became a leader in the prison after being wrongly accused of sexual assault, and eventually became prime minister over Egypt?

And believe me or not, I think I have stumbled upon the answer as to how these parents did it…what they taught these boys that carried them through their entire lives as leaders in their faith and in their heathen countries where they came into unlikely prominence.

But that’s an answer for tomorrow’s post.

Today, I want you to remember, to not fear that the world will change your child, draw them away from God, or cause them to walk from their faith in Christ. Instead, focus on believing and taking steps to raise a child that will CHANGE THE WORLD. Trust in a Holy Spirit that is doing a work inside the heart of your child and in a God who orders the universe and they very steps of your son or daughter that His greatest plans will be accomplished! As they come of age, don’t shield them and hide them away! A city on a hill can not be hidden! No one lights a candle and hides it under a bushel! Do your job, do it fully, trust in the promises of God where He tells us that ALL THINGS work together for the good of those that are called according to HIS purposes! Watch them ignite for Jesus, and then they’ll set the world on fire!