T. Suzanne Eller Team member speakers
And that do not even know what will happen tomorrow ! What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a moment and then vanishes. .. " James 4:14 (NIV)
Reading:
"Would you rather spend a weekend with your parents, or receive a gift certificate shopping center for $ 200?" ;
I pressed send and the question went out to hundreds of teenagers. As a mother of three teenagers at the time, my research for the book was a great project for me and to my editor.
For months they had been asked adolescents across the nation about the pressure they lived, about faith, to communicate with their parents and other stresses. When I submitted this question, I thought I knew what the answers would be.
A young sent me a long list of complaints about their relationship with their parents, and chose the gift certificate. Later he sent a second message. "The last time I spent time with my mom was like ... I remember spending time with my mom, ever! As I change my vote. I really love, though not always agree. "
hoped that the results were something like 50/50. But it was 95 / 5 for parenting time. It seems that time is equivalent to love for young adolescents.
This can be confusing for parents, because the message they receive from their teen seems to be: I want things . I need to be fashionable. It is important to have a lot of money. I want to do this and that. And to fill what our teens want, we strive as much as we can to try to make it happen. It can also be confusing when we feel isolated from a teenager while you update your status in Facebook, sends a text message or sitting at the computer with your iPod and good headphones stuck in their ears.
is understandable that these mixed messages make us feel as if teenagers do not want to spend time with us, but the answers the other questions in the survey revealed that the world in which they live is often difficult to navigate, and spending time with mom or dad can make things better.
teens said they feel more loved at times without planning, sitting at the table telling stories and laughing about something stupid until they go milk tears or when Mom or Dad sit next to the bed at night and ask them how was your day and really listen. For teenagers time equals love, but they do not tell us what those words.
Why
Why is it important? I think that a young man described it well: "Time with my parents, or at least one of them would help a lot of things. I probably feel better if you talk to them about what is happening in my life. "
What distracts us from spending time with our children? In each family that looks different, but it is important to take an honest look at our own schedule and adjust so that we walk with our children in this difficult thing called life.
Dear God, as time passes fast and I feel so depressed about many things. Please do an inventory of my life and show me places I need to adjust. Look at each area and help me know how to find the balance and connect with my beautiful children. In Jesus name, Amen .
Steps for implementation:
What is your wish list in terms of priorities?
Give an honest look at the amount time spent in each. Write it.
What are your real priorities (as you spend more time)?
Related Resources:
When you buy any recourse through Proverbs 31 Ministries leave a mark on eternity because your purchase supports the various areas without charge offer this ministry to give hope. We would like to compete with prices offered by large stores that sell online, but I just can not. Therefore, we really appreciate each and every purchase you make with us. Thanks! ;
Reflections:
I've learned you can never be too old to take the hand of your parents. 4th grade student anonymous
Verses that give you strength:
Proverbs 16:1, " Of man are the purposes of the heart, but the Lord is the answer of the tongue. "(NASB)
© 2010, T. Suzanne Eller. All rights reserved.
Thanks for your help in translating this devotional.
Anne Stine Natasha Curtis
Waleska Nickerson
Veronica Young
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