Who Am I? & Who Are You?

I can’t stop thinking about the impact that parents have on their kids!

There is that old addage that says something about “nurture over nature” …in some ways I might agree with that statement.  But I must admit I get a little ticked when I hear people say …“todays youth can’t be all God wants them to be until they confess all of the sins of their parents.”

That statement keeps running through my head…I wonder..”how many of these kids I work with really even know there parents?”  The fact is there are many teens who have no clue who there parents really are!  So how does a student confess the sins of their parents when they don’t even think there parents have ever sinned?

I can’t even begin to tell you how many students over the past 20 years have said to me; “I can’t relate to my parents…and they do not relate to me – I have issues and my parents have never had issues.”   What kind of influence are we having on our kids when we appear to be the “Cleaver” family?  I’m not saying we need to download all of our messyness onto our kids – but what I am saying is that we need to be authentic and vulnerable and at least be willing to admit when we have messed up.

We can never lose sight of the fact that we all have inherited a “sin nature” from our parents and if that nature is kept unchecked sin can be repeated from generation to generation. The problem with that mindset is that many have used it as an excuse to remain in disobedience.  I can’t help myself…it’s not my fault…it was my sinful forefathers!! Time for a reality check!!

Those sinful patterns don’t have to be repeated… we all have a choice how we choose to live our lives.  I came from a fairly messed up home…and my ancestry is littered with trainwreck after trainwreck.  Sure I could pull out the “generational  excuse card”…but it’s merely an excuse.  I have drawn the line in the sand…and through the power of  God working through me I must surrender daily to my sinful desires.

Parents, students..or whoever else may read this blog – don’t ever let anyone tell you you’re shackled with the same unavoidable choices.

We all have a choice. I don’t care where you are from or what people around you have done or are doing.  Remember that although faith is personal…it’s also not private – and therefore we must keep in mind that it doesn’t mysteriously trickle down from generation to generation.  We must choose!! .

Her are some questions you may want to discuss as a family;

Think:

• Can God use me (my family) in spite of my (our) family background?
• How can my life beam God’s love into my family/friends?
• Have I made family excuses (generational sin) for my lack of faith and obediance to Gods call in my life?

Pastor G <><<

~ by groverb on 10/24/2009.