The world is loud. It’s not the same world that you and I grew up in. The noise never stops for our kids. When I was in school, if drama happened then it typically stopped as the school bell rang for the afternoon. I went home and could escape. At the most I might have a phone conversation with a friend. Like an actual phone on the wall with actual voices and not thumb messages. (Welcome to growing up in the 90’s!)
Kids today do not get that benefit. The world is speaking 24/7. Something happens at school? A group chat is started, a picture is taken and shared, a snap chat is sent. They hear negativity from the enemy constantly. They never truly get a break. They are hearing lies day in and day out about themselves from peers, social media, literature, music, television, and internally.
Parents…we have to speak louder!
“And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.”
Deuteronomy 6:6-7
How Can We Speak Louder?
- When You Are at Home-First of all, one hard truth. In order to speak to your kids at home, you have to prioritize time to be at home. Today our world wants us to be so busy that the home becomes just a hub to gather information and things before moving on to our next activity. Life can be busy but make time to be at home together as a family. Sit at the table for family meals. Ask questions. One thing we do periodically is ask questions at dinner. We go around and typically tell the best part of our day, the hardest part of our day, and the part that made us laugh. This gives us opportunities to hear about their day in a way that can draw out more information. Secondly, give time for margin in the home so that your kids have an opportunity to talk. Don’t be so busy and caught up in your to-do list that you miss moments where they want to share. Third, find a way to speak the gospel into their worries, problems, or concerns. Each situation has an opportunity to speak gospel truth to it.
- On the Road-A lot of life consists of time “on the road.” As you are going place to place find opportunities to instill truth. Had a difficult server at a restaurant? Talk about showing grace and how we don’t always know what they are facing in their lives. Pray for them. Kid has an awful experience at a game? Discuss about how their identity is not about sports. Strengthen them in things that they did well. See someone in need? Give them a blessing bag or cash. Discuss with your kids about giving and loving as Christ would love. Discuss how we don’t know their story or true situation. The “road” is full of gospel-centered conversations.
- Going to Bed-Try to be there for your kids when they are heading to bed. Some kids finally decide they want to open up about a hardship right before bedtime. Be there for them. Pray for them before they sleep. We give our kids 30 minutes of reading time before bed. Find books that encourage them in their faith and build them up so those are the last thoughts they have before sleeping.
- Getting up-Pray for them before they head out the door. Pray that God will strengthen them to make wise choices, to exhibit the fruits of the Spirit, to be a leader. Mornings can be hectic. Try to find ways to make getting to school or getting ready as tension-free as possible. Speak words of life and love to them before they face their day, so they are going into school or life already built up.
Parents, this world is so loud! We have to be louder! God knew how much our kids would need us, and He gave us a list of times that we should focus on. Don’t let the world’s voice be the one your kids listen to the most. The noise is deafening so we have to be clear, intentional, and consistent. We have to “make the moments matter.”
