What do we say to our kiddos??

Why the picture? I'm not sure. It was just easier to browse through my files than to write what I believe I am to say. There... pretty things, mixed with weeds. Parts in focus. Others blurry. Maybe more fitting than not.

 

 

This is not a political post. This is about politics. It isn't. Ya, both.

 

Yesterday the nation watched as Indiana took to the ballots. I'm a Hoosier. Was a Hoosier?  See?  It's complicated already. We used to live there. Now we don't. Most of our family and friends still do. But I digress. I don't understand the ins and outs of our countries election/party political process. But I know Indiana was a big deal. Especially to those who call themselves conservatives. I would be in that camp.

 

This morning when I woke up, three hours behind where the bulk of my world had already started their days, social media was abuzz. In my circles there was more disappointment than celebration. Even those "celebrating" seem less excited than if their favorite NFL team would have just won. Even those "winning" know that things are different. We've all heard the "lesser of two evils" analogy used. It's not how we remember things being.

 

I have kept my mouth silent on the issue. No real need to say anything, plenty of others doing that. So why this?

 

A dear friend of mine posed a question...it was at the end of a post, expressing her disappointment with the outcome. She asked. "What do we say to our kiddos? Oh yes. Here it is. You've made your bed. Now lie in it."

 

I get it. I really do. Many have breathed a sigh of  "Here we go". Guess there was nothing wrong with hoping.

 

But the question. It won't leave me. What do we say to our kiddos?

 

I decided to write my answer. I'll write it for the eight I have been chosen to mother. Nine really. She was added as one with my son. These, the ones who have stolen my heart. You may agree and share mine, you may be inspired to write your own.

 

 

Words to my children about life as we see it today...

 

Are you all aware that you have been chosen for this time? Really? Do you know that it is not a coincidence? Do you see what is happening? Each of you, my "bigs" and my "littles". Of all people, we should be the most hope filled. Because our world is good? No, its not. But our God is good, and He is up to something. He is letting us be a part of it.

 

You have seen the changes. You have pointed them out. We used to say the world was changing at a rapid rate. Then we saw the church do the same. What was black became grey. Now its called bright white. We used to be able to sit in our circles and agree on all being the same. This was our generation. Not the case with yours. We could feel safe in our agreement on issues. If we kept our focus on outward appearance alone, it kept us at least appearing to be united. We didn't really need to know WHY we believed a certain way. We were rarely forced to give an answer. Some might say that you don't have that luxury.  For us it was our luxury that lulled us to sleep. So, really, no luxury at all. Comfort, safety, little sacrifice, repeat.

 

Its becoming more and more obvious to me that blending in is no longer an option. Really...it never was.

 

In every generation, there have been those committed to praying for an awakening in our nation. But for something to be awakened from sleep, it has to be disrupted. Some would rather stay sleeping. With all my heart, I believe that you, you younger ones, are going to be strategic in causing the eyelids to burst open. And not just waking up, more like death to life stuff.

 

I believe it because I see it happening. I see it happening in you.

 

Be aware. You must be prepared. You must KNOW the Word and believe in the power of it. Its the only thing you will be able to hold to, if the day comes that all else is taken away.  As much as it pains me to say it, I believe it will come to that. You must know and believe that even the parts that are difficult to understand are TRUE and do not change. It is God breathed. His words to you. It must remain your plumb line. To know it you must be in it.

 

Be bold. The story of Daniel and his friends is not fiction. Yes, the lions still exist. So do the furnaces. Noah really DID build an ark when the world thought he had lost his mind. Water still rises but so do the rainbows.  Esther really did become the beauty queen of all time to save a nation.  Your appointments and positions have never been coincidence. David DID kill Goliath... with a lot of faith and a little stone. These aren't just stories. They are examples of people who were willing to be different. God is still writing such adventures. He has already penciled you in.

 

God is all about redemption and restoration. You are too. Each of you has your own story. Tell it boldly.

 

Tell it kindly. Offer them the opportunity to experience their own. To your teacher who comments in class  about the fact that you don't swear. To your fellow teammate who is noticing that the fence riding has become less than comfortable. To your acquaintance from school who changes their name every few days to match whichever gender identity they are currently feeling. To the drug addict you stop to talk to on the street. Or the user that comes out of the bathroom stall just before you. Someone you work with. Someone you've known for years. Someone you just met.

 

It's an adventure. This dry bones coming to life stuff. You know what I'm talking about. You've been calling it out for a while now. What IF God is appointing someone to office to start the waking process? He's been known to speak through evil rulers before. Even donkeys. Will it disrupt what we know? Maybe. Will it be uncomfortable? Probably. Will it be worth it?Absolutely!

 

Be wise. But do not fear. God is on the move! Don't be caught standing still.

 

This is for your good. Our good. His glory. So that the world may know Him.

 

I'm hearing alarm clocks going off.  Time to rise and shine!!

 

You, my children, are a part of something greater than any of us know.