LifeGroups started back last night at church. Another year of weekly meetings, wondering if what I’m saying is sinking in or going in one ear and out the other. Only time will tell. But I’m a little concerned that the semester we spent studying wise decision-making didn’t sink in at all.
Why, you may ask? Because last night, one of my juniors told me that she’d been caught speeding. I won't go into details, but let's say she was going well above posted speed limits on the Interstate. "Unsafe" really doesn't describe how fast she was going.
A little over a year ago, I told the girls I was going to avoid their part of town when they started driving. Now I remember why I said that. I know that their brains aren’t fully developed and they’re not thinking of consequences for reckless behavior. Lord protect us all!
I told her that I’d much prefer it if she’d slow down. I said I didn’t want to get a call telling me to come to the hospital because one of my girls had been in a wreck and was all broken and bruised . . . or worse. I was a little surprised at the fear and concern and motherly instincts welling up in me. (How moms put their kids in cars and let them drive when they turn 16, I’m not sure I’ll ever know. I’ve just about decided that having kids is out of the question for me. Too much to think about and worry over . . . I think I’d take over-protection to an ungodly level.)
Short of showing gruesome videos and pictures from crash scenes (which I’m sure they get plenty of at school), I’m not sure how to get the concept of consequences through their heads. And not just with reckless driving—with everything! As Satan tempts us to take things to the limit because “nothing will happen to us,” it’s so easy to rationalize sinning. My concern is when I (and my girls) get caught and feel no remorse for the actions, only for having to suffer the consequences. That’s a problem of the heart. And this year, my prayer is that God would absolutely break some hearts and turn them to Him. I’m praying that the girls will be amazed at the depth of His love and realize the far reaches of His forgiveness. I want them to be in awe of Him, not themselves or the people and things they’ve lifted up as idols. Won’t you join me in praying the same for your girls?
And please, leave a comment and let us know what else you’re praying will be accomplished in your girls’ lives.
I'm sooo praying for that for my girls as well. (And for own my six yr old daughter!) In today's world where there seems to be so much accepted as "gray," it's all about what excuse will work and there's no responsibility felt for sin! :(
I'm praying for my girls' boldness. That God would cause such a renewing in their heart that they would feel no shame in announcing His name!
Hi Emily! My favorite part of this whole post was one of the first things you said about wondering if their hearing one word you're saying or not. I totally feel you, sister! I too amd Girl's Ministry Director and actually just the other day wrote a post about something that happened. Whether or not I know they're listening to me, I do know for sure they're watching my every move. I thought I'd post the link here:
http://lindseelou.blogspot.com/2009/08/fashion-icon.html
Anyway, thanks for all y'all do for us at Lifeway and on ths blog. I am super excited about the conference in February! And girl, I'll pray right along with you.
Love,
Lindsee