I’m Not Your Friend…

Posted on September 1, 2020 by Catey Stover in Freedom Fighters

Proverbs 22:6: “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not turn from it”

In this day and age, young parents have so much more to worry about in raising their children than our parents or grandparents had. Our world is full of consumerism, and not hurting our feelings, and giving children everything that they ask for has complicated parenting in a horrible way. Children have become more defiant at an earlier age. They want what their friends have. And they will beat down their parents until they get it. And most parents give in because they want to be friends with their children, not parents. And now we are seeing them in their teens and early twenties and they have no respect for their elders or authorities. The political climate has shown us how many young people have absolutely no respect for people or the property. Don’t get me wrong, I love to see young people being passionate about social issues that concern them. But when things get out of hand, and they have over the last few months, it makes me wonder “where are the parents”? What kind of family did they grow up in? They will make any excuses necessary to justify the means to the end. Trust me, growing up in Brick Town my parents’ word was law. There was no back-talking, no arguments. As a smart alec 13 or 14 year old, I back-talked to my mother one day and out of nowhere one of my older brothers put me to the ground faster than you could blink and told me “if you ever talk to our mother like that again I will beat the living you-know-what out of you”. That set me straight!!!

So many of the Proverbs speak of how to raise our children. 20:11 “even a child is known by his actions, by whether his conduct is pure and right”. But children are inquisitive and they truly learn from the parents of what right and wrong is. If the parent curses, they will curse. If a parent doesn’t show love and respect for their spouse, a child will not learn to have relationships that will last. If they watch shows that degrade women or any group of people, they will do it. And if the house is filled with hate and racism, well you know where that is going to lead. I don’t fully agree with the rod of correction spoken about in proverbs, but a slap on the wrist or their bottom will get the point across. Our children are grown and we have 2 wonderful grandbabies. Being around our adult children is a blessing now, they are adults and we have adult conversations with them and enjoy spending as much time as possible with them considering with the covid going on. Do we agree on how they may be raising grandbabies, not always? But every grandparent thinks they know best, RIGHT??? but they show them love every day and teach them the best they can of right and wrong. Remember that your children are watching your every move.

I’m not your friend…I’m your parent

Written by Robert Breault: Robert is a full-time staff member serving anyone who’s hungry in the Food Service Department. He is married to Shirley Holmes-Breault who volunteers at the Colony of Mercy at the intake office. Robert and Shirley love the beach, Schroon Lake, and their 3 children and 2 Grandchildren.

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Think About This: “Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.” -Corrie Ten Boom

The Daily Bible Reading: Ezekiel 48; Daniel 1-3 | You can download our 2020 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here. 

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: ¹⁵ But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear -1 Peter 3:15

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the doctrinal and theological views held by America’s Keswick.