What About the Children?

In light of the death of Derrion Albert I'm left asking the question, What About the Children? In today's society kids are so bitter, angry and unhappy. As parents we try to do everything to make them happy like buying the lastest and greatest of video games, shoes, clothing and anything else that they tell us their friends own. Children have cell phones, ipods, iphones, and many have tv in their rooms and the worldly influence has taken control. We have replaced feeding them the word of God through Bible Study and Sunday School with baseball, basketball, cheerleading, ballet and many other activitie's practices, games or recitals. Children don't really know what it is or feel like to be loved because they are moved from one place to another with no time for family dinners, family talks, games or anything else. Most families are pulled in many different directions and rarely even see each other during the week. I know that many parents are busy and most families include two working parents but we as parents need to make sure that we are being the best stewards over our children as God expects. We need to go back to the old ways and partner with our family and friends in raising our children because it does take a village. Can you answer yes to any of the following questions: Did you tell your child/children that you loved them today? Have you prayed with my child/children today? Have you spent quality time with my child/children today? Does your child/children know that you care about them and how they feel? Do you put your child/children's well-being before your own? Do you assist, check or go over homework with your child/children nightly? If you can't answer yes to any of the above questions then you should evaluate your life and see what changes should be made for the betterment of not only your children but your family. Not long ago, I ran into a friend at church back in Alabama and she told me that she had been on travel all week and when she returned home that it wasn't in the best shape but that she was so happy to see her family it didn't matter. She also said that on that Saturday even though she was tired it was mommy and daughter day and that she spent the entire day with her daughter having fun. I was so happy to hear that because it seems that families are all torn apart and choose not to spend time together. Although my family spend so much time together it motivated me even more. There are many creative ways to spend time and have fun together as a family right at home. Let us remember to stop and put emphasis on being the best parents that we can be. Let us be obedient to Proverbs 22:6 that tells us to "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." When we train that means we give the rules and not the other way around. Is this hard sometimes, yes but it can be accomplished. Teach them according to Colossians 4:20 which says "Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord." Be the role model that your child/children need. Don't allow the wordly influences to destroy your child/children. It is my prayer that we will stand up and be the Godly parents that has been ordained by God. I pray blessing for all the children in the world today. With Love and Concern, Benita