Back to school! Years ago Paul Turner wrote in The Spokesman-Review of Spokane, Washington what you should not say to a 13-year-old when shopping for back-to-school clothes. (August 17, 2001 ; D1)
“Hahahahaha. Yeah, right. Like we’re going to buy that.”
“That’s fine, honey. Go ahead and embarrass our whole family.”
“I’m sorry my mere presence here in the store humiliates you. But I wish you would remember that I’m the one with the credit card.”
One thing I learned as a parent of teens: Our children are not our appendages. They are independent human beings, fully equal to us in the sight of God. God is no respecter of persons (1 Peter 1:17). Yes, parents have an authority over their children (Exodus 20:12), but that is oh so temporary. Children should honor and obey their parents, but we parents should give the highest respect to these children of God.
Heavenly Father, help us be good parents to your children…and teach them to appreciate that we’re the ones with the credit card!
Amen.
Comments