The other day I was keeping an eye on my youngest daughters 3 beauties. Grandma was there with me, and the five of us had a ball. No kidding! We watched some TV, played some Jr. Monopoly, read a couple of books, had a snack, cried when we lost, had a fashion show with some dollies (that's when I took my nap), and answered several questions about life. "Grandma, why do people say I'm wrong when I tell them I read the Bible?" "Grandpa, why don't people believe in God?" We answered them honestly. After everyone brushed their teeth, went to the potty and got in their pj's it was off to good night prayers and dream land. Grandma picked a few things, and I put a few chairs in place.
Soon after mom and dad got back from a preseason Wild game, we then got hugs, thanks, and were on our way home.
Now that's what my wife and I call a great date!
Oh yes, we split a bottle of beer grandma filched from the garage refrigerator and I dug out some nachos and salsa that had been squirreled away.
After knoodling about our kids and their kids, it came to me that young parents really need a lot of courage these days. Not only do they have the pressure of getting and keeping jobs to make a living and to provide for their kids, but they have to be aware of so many more dangers that threaten them and their children on a day to day basis. Let me explain what I mean.
When we were kids our parents may have worried, yes, but it was about me climbing in a tree, going to the lake for a swim, and/or learning a few unsavory words from the older neighbor boys.
There was no such thing as porn, pot, or promiscuous parties. If my mom wanted us to come home, she would have my dad step outside the back door, give a neighborhood piercing whistle and we would come running.
To check it out I asked my middle daughter who is the mother of 3 more beautiful youngsters and I asked, "Honey, tell me what you fear most on a daily basis with regard to your kids?" Her response: "I worry about them being drawn into a bad circumstance where someone can mess with them and violate them in several different ways." "I hate what they have to watch on TV as well."
We have a church family in Hudson, its called Emmanuel. The name means: "God with us." We have a preschool and a Sunday school, a play area for little ones and colorful bulletin boards all over the place. We have several young families that are members. We also have a bunch of grandmas and grandpas in our church. As a group the seniors often talk about how they pray for the young families and how they see how hard it is for the young parents to make a go of it these days. They add that if the young parents want to come to our church they are thrilled, and because they know that finances are tight these days, they are willing to keep things going at church so that the young parents can have a place of sanctuary for them and their kids.
The seniors will even move forward in church so the kids can sit in the back, (closer to the rest rooms), we let the kids get in line first for treats so being there is a fun thing, we offer to help the parents of youngsters so they can have night out, or a shopping break... We want young families, because we love them and realize how hard it is to be a parent today.
Besides all this, we know that it is the good and gracious will of Jesus that little ones are to be brought to him. We know it takes courage for young parents to do that when so many of their friends don't think its a big deal.
Stop by on Sunday and I'll introduce you to some young parents like you, so that you can get to know them and become part of our church family.
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