[#life Series] Parenting Part 1Sample

Two Important Questions

Our families can be seen as strong teams where loyalty, love, and faithfulness create a bond that will make us weather any storm which may come our way. However, we should be aware of the dangers that are coming against us and have a little check-up from time to time. There are two questions that can help us assess where we are going as a team.

Number one: Is our family team helped or hindered by our kids’ activities? Are other people raising my kids? How often do we eat dinner together as a family? Have we missed every Spring break and every Christmas break and every summer vacation together? Have we spent time together? Are we involved in church? If we are talking about raising kids that love the Lord and have a heart for God, and they are never in church, what are we trying to do? 

We think anybody can do anything by just working hard and being positive. But did you know that less than 1% of Little Leaguers will play in the major leagues? In contrast, there is a 100% chance they are going to stand before God. 

When you sign up your kids you need to know what the deal is. Ask when the games will usually be. Do they play mostly on Sunday mornings, or will there be any Saturday or Sunday afternoon games? What happens when the coach tells you to be at the game and God tells you to be at church? Who do you listen to? Does it help or hinder your family?

Second: What is the return on investment out of all the effort, the time, and the money you are spending? A $16 million-dollar NFL contract? An amazing scholarship to go to college? A place to exercise your passion, have friends, and develop character?

The truth is that most of us are just raising pretty good, maybe even great, intramural college players. We are selling our souls for it, and our kids aren’t involved in church. You don’t want to be in a situation, which so many people are, where you have raised your kids, all these things happen, and then you wonder, “Dear God, why are my kids not in church? Please do something in their life.” Sports are great, but our society is nuts. Think these things through and do what you feel like you need to do.