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Where Are They Now?
“WHERE ARE THEY NOW?”
After the riots and civil unrest from a few summers ago, one local television station began running the following reminder each night before the 10 o’clock news. The reminder was, “It is 10 o’clock. Do you know where your children are?” No doubt, with all of the unrest, crimes, and murders of young people in Indianapolis, the announcement was meant to make parents think about where at that time their children were physically. Other questions parents should be asking are, “Do you know with whom your children are associating at this time? Do you know what they are doing? Have you set a curfew for them? Do you know how to get in touch with them?
All of the above are questions with which parents should be concerned, but what about the spiritual well being of your child? Do you know what your children think about God’s Word? Do you know the people who are influencing them? Do you know how they look at the world around them? Do you know what they think about the recent election? Are you even talking to your children about these matters, or are you “burying your head in the sand” and hoping for the best?
As children grow, it is our responsibility as parents to help shape their spiritual well-beings. It begins at a very young age. Proverbs 22:6 states, “Train up a child in the way that he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Our parental influence on children is vital to their helping establish good relationships with God. In Luke 2:52, we read, “And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.” Spiritual, physical, and social aspects of growth are important for parents to pass on to their children.
My question to all parents is, “Do you know where your children are? Do you know how they are developing spiritually and socially? Do you know where they stand on spiritual matters as they grow?” Take time and talk to your children as they grow.
As parents, we have many things to balance as our children grow. Make sure that spirituality does not get lost in the shuffle. School assignments, activities, and household chores are important, but don’t place them above talking with your children about God.
Written by Larry Schneider
