“Stop the train, I want to get off!” Propaganda, rhetoric and constant changes have caused us to pause. We are being conditioned to look around the corner to see what is next. Covid drama has taken center stage. Those who should not have power over us now do. We find ourselves starting to question and distrust. Trust is the “assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone or something”.
Recent events have caused our foundations to be shaken. We want to trust other adults to influence and protect our children; and trust our children to be responsible with the privileges they have been given. We want to trust government to keep this great nation “great” and to have the confidence that our children will enjoy the freedoms America provides throughout their lives. All of those things seem to be at stake and currently in question. We now second guess education, medicine, mandates, science, and politics. Unfortunately, our culture with its contemporary attitudes has ceased to be trustworthy. There is rampant hypocrisy, double standards, and lack of common sense.
These things require great discernment and wisdom because our children are so vulnerable and so are we. Putting trust where it will be trampled upon can have very serious consequences. The only sure discernment is to be able to look into the hearts of other adults and into the hearts of our children to fully comprehend where there is danger. Only God is capable of doing that. What are we to do?
“Trust in the LORD and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper. Take delight in the LORD, and He will give you your heart’s desires. Commit everything you do to the LORD. Trust Him, and He will help you.”
Psalm 37:3-5 (NLT)
The One who is deserving of our full trust and confidence is the One who knows the hearts and motives of those whom we place trust. Leviticus 19:4 (NLT): “Do not put your trust in idols or make metal images of gods for yourselves. I am the LORD your God.” Our motive in parenting should always be in the best interest of our children. Convenience should never drive our parenting decisions. We must be willing to say “no” even when we can’t explain why. Our God-given parenting “knower” must exercise its authority at all times with our children’s spiritual, physical, and emotional safety as our priority.
“If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities. And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven? And if you are not faithful with other people’s things, why should you be trusted with things of your own?”
Luke 16:10-12 (NLT)
We are our children’s only filter to process the contemporary times and the extremes that we are experiencing. Psalm 71:1 (NLT): “O LORD, I have come to you for protection; don’t let me be disgraced.” We are their front line protector as this all unfolds.
