Parenting is not for the faint of heart. It is probably one of the hardest jobs. You are responsible for a life. It is your job to instill values, morals, teach and instruct, protect, comfort, and discipline. I think most parents have uttered the old phrase, “Treat others the way you want to be treated.” But there is also an old saying that we should “practice what we preach”.
Have we lost that as a country? Who have we become?
I can’t scroll through any social media platforms or watch a news channel without feeling completely overwhelmed. We have been bombarded with information and opinions; and quite frankly, none of it is positive. It seems the more negative, opinionated, and hate filled speech, the more air time and likes it gets. What are we teaching our children? What kind of world are we leaving for them and how can they possibly thrive in a society like this?
Covid and the return to school debate. I have been overloaded with statistics, stories, and conspiracy theories. People who took all precautions and still tested positive. People who refuse to wear a mask and are still negative. Others who tested positive and had a symptom and felt bad for 24 hours. Still some who spent time in the hospital and a few cases in my hometown where others have lost their lives. I am trusting that our teachers and staff are doing everything to help prevent and protect my children from this virus. I am concerned equally for their physical and mental health, and I’m not sure there truly is a wrong answer in what we as parents decide. So, we made the decision to send our sons back to school.
Racial and social injustices, inequality, black lives matter, all lives matter, blue lives matter….
We somehow have lost what the real issue is. Instead of listening to those in our black community and their real life experiences, we want to defend ourselves and not believe them. We want to make the excuse that it is all politics and/or the black community needs to stop living in the past. I believe they are living in the present and how even to this day, they still face racism, inequality, and injustices. It’s not the past, it is the present. Why are we not standing united? Americans pride themselves on coming together, why aren’t we now? It is not a matter of supporting the Black Lives Matter organization, it is the simple statement that black lives matter and they are treated on a daily basis that they do not and this is real.
My children have questions that I have a difficult time answering. How do you teach children to not hate others based on differences when all they hear and see is the opposite? I have taught my boys respect, empathy, tolerance, compassion. Yet, those you extend those characteristics are persecuted for it. They are labeled “snowflakes”, “liberals”, “anti-Trump”. I disagree with all of these labels. Why? We are called to stand out by our actions. America…we are not loving each other.
So, what does God’s word say about how we as Christians should live and act?
A devotional I read the other day asked these questions that we all should ask ourselves, not only during these tumultuous times, but every single day.
- Motives- Are they pure?
- Thoughts- Are they kind?
- Judgments- Are they right and just?
- Words- Are they gracious?
- Actions- Are they pleasing to God?
This is what we should be teaching our children and modeling for them.
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.
Colossians 3:12-15
Let them know we are Christians by our love….
Living by grace,
Misty
Living By Grace 