The challenges of the past four months have revealed much for us to process. Two significant realities have come to light during this time that will impact our children going forward: our natural bend to be divisive and to be sedentary. Mark Twain said, “Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt.”
Jesus said, “And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you.”
Matthew 12:36-37
We have heard it said that “everyone has an opinion,” and boy have we run the gamut on the opinions of others. It is in a child’s best interest that we teach and train them to shape and cultivate opinions that are founded and supported in facts and truth. Opinions must be substantive, having a firm basis in reality; and therefore important, meaningful, or considerable. So much of the information we have to sift through is foolish rhetoric for the purpose of dividing and creating drama. Unfortunately, much of it is untrue, but has a thread of truth, which causes us to bend our ear.
The definition of opinion is “a view or judgment formed about something, not necessarily based on fact or knowledge.” The idea of “Let us reason together” or “we can agree to disagree” has become dinosaur in our ever-changing conversation. Our nation’s struggles that have been exposed come at us from vastly different mindsets, via very different methods and assessments.
These are all very good conversation pieces and training up opportunities for parents. We can now see clearer and choose better. Where there is a common language, words carry very different meanings. Truth “is” absolute. It doesn’t matter my opinion when it comes to stepping off a building, the truth about gravity will prevail. I say all of this to encourage parents to seek “truth” and avoid “rhetoric” in getting through the current times and coming out on the other side healthy and safe. Reasoning together and working through divisive issues begins in the home. It is important that our children continue to “thrive,” even though they have been loaded down with unprecedented changes and challenges.
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:1-2 (NKJV)
Jesus is still at the right hand of the Throne of God. Don’t allow our information overload to take your eyes off of Him, His wisdom and His authority. This information coming at us demands that every family discuss and ultimately respond. If parents don’t influence the opinions formed by their children, someone else will.
