Saying v. Doing

"Do as I say, not as I do."

Famous last words by every parent. Ever.

It occurs to me, that the statement bears truth for two reasons.

1) There are some things which are actually justifiable for adults...perhaps not right, but still, adulthood/parenthood takes trump.

2) The older we get, the more we realize there are issues and disciplines that we wish we had recognized the importance of their place in life much earlier in our lives. Whether habits to implement, life skills to perfect or attitudes and behaviors to disengage from, the list can get quite lengthy upon further reflection.

Friends from college were commenting on social media that our college days felt as though they were only 5 yrs ago. It's been much longer. And I read the comments, thinking... no, college was a while ago. I'm nowhere close to feeling "like it was just yesterday." Too much life has happened. I feel as though I have felt the passing of every year.  Full of prayer, frustration and promise.

Prayer must never cease. The frustration eventually fades. The promise remains.
His grace is sufficient... for our kids as they learn. For adults, concerned over what they haven't learned.
Every generation hopes they don't screw up the one they are raising. And the ones being raised promise they will do better yet. Parenting will never be perfected. Not as long as the teenagers remain a force to be reckoned with. But even then, there's prayer and promise to help manage the frustration.

Pray, this #youthPastorWednesday, for pastors and parents alike, praying and believing for God to accomplish the miraculous in and through this generation of young people. For the world they are inheriting, for the world they are watching unfold before their eyes... pray they develop an unshakable faith and an unrelenting grip of the promises of God. Pray for a focus which keeps at the forefront, the character of God more than the works of God. Pray for grace... for pastors and parents with the struggles they pray their kids avoid. May it not rob their joy or consume their life, as they trust God to intervene on their behalf.

Generations, upon generations gaining ground for the glory of God and the cause of Jesus Christ. Not because of the evolving/learning process of humanity, but by the transforming power of the work of God in the lives. Starting with me.

-PNC

---