Ok I may be coming across a little harsh, but I think I'm going to say this. Please bear with me.
I really hate what I see happening to the family around me . Anymore a family consists of a set of parents and their children of 15 and under. It is generally unheard of for 16+ to ride to church with their family or even sit in the same pew. The youth are suddenly engrossed with their friends and lets not forget the youth group.
Families virtually have no testimony. There is no unity or even togetherness. At least not in a Christ centered way. (Yeah families can sit around a TV together) Is there even such a thing as family devotions anymore? Family meals? Family discussions?
We can't blame the youth for leaving. Really what have they been offered?
Where are the godly examples? Where are the families that are pulling together towards the goal of glorifying God and advancing His kingdom? Where are the families that are prepared to work together to help other hurting families?
Instead we send our youth out to work with other youth under another couple's guidance. Then that group of mixed youth are to be reaching out and helping others. Don't we see how backwards that is? Why did God even create families?
I realize here I am mostly talking to young ladies, and you may be thinking "I'm not a parent or a leader, how does this apply to me?" I want to encourage you: God put you in your family for a reason. For a specific reason. First, so that as a family you can learn to love, serve, and know Him. Then you can go out and show the world that God's ways work. A family dedicated to God, is something to be reckoned with. There is such contentment and peace in living and growing and working with your family, the way God wanted you to.
My advice to you: embrace the family God gave you, and cherish the moments you have together.
So what can you do right now?
Seek God
Know God
Serve God
Love God
Share God!
This is such a good and thought provoking post, Heather. I've recently started attending a new church alone (most of the time) as my family has been praying on whether or not they are leaving our current church along with me. To make a long story very short, I've struggled with the youth in our church and other things, and I feel very called by the Lord to move on to this other church that is very mission oriented and focused on God. It's been so difficult for me to go alone, and I was SO thankful when they decided that wanted to make the move with me. It's so sad that social activities are the main reason for youth going to church and not so they can be with family and learn about the Lord.
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Thanks for commenting. I was a bit worried about posting this. But I I did because it is something that was and is really on my heart. Like I've said before, I try to post what I feel God is giving me. Thank you for encouraging me back!
DeleteWow Heather, thanks for that reminder. Those thoughts challenged me!
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Praise God! :)
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