The Narrow Roads

It has been a long time since I have written anything. I keep thinking I will get to it, but life has taken over and this hasn’t been a priority. Caring for a sick husband takes a lot of my time, but it’s time well spent. One day I will write a blog about my journey as a caregiver, but today something else is on my heart. The title probably gives a clue that I will be writing about kids. Not just mine, but everyone’s kids. As some of you may remember, I have two amazing daughters that are the apples of my eye. They both have so many gifts and talents that I sometimes watch them and wonder why God blessed me with two gifted daughters. Of course, that’s what all parents say right? This blog has actually been on my mind since the beginning of the year and I have some thoughts I want to share about kids these days.

One afternoon my oldest and I were in the car together talking about ideas she has for church, outreach and the worship service. The whole time she is talking, I am thinking wow, she has really thought this through and has some creative ideas. She also expressed that she feels like no one would listen to her because she is a teen. This conversation really got me thinking about this generation of kids and all the creativity they have as well as ambition to make real changes in this world. Then I got to thinking how often we adults write these kids off and say, “Kids these day”, like they are so horrible.

How many times have you heard people say this or have said it yourself. Kids these days just want to play on their phones. Kids these days don’t know what is going on in the world around them, because they are always on their phones. Kids these days are entitled, disrespectful, lazy and selfish. Have you heard any of these remarks or made any? Yes, there are some kids this way, BUT have you met some adults who are the same way? Yes, you have! Everyone has their face in a smart phone in a waiting room or in a restaurant. Conversations between couples don’t exist, because they are on their phones. Now this blog isn’t about smart phones and our obsession with them and that’s me included, but bare with me as I get to my point of this blog.

Kids these days are so much more than we realize they are. My oldest leads worship at church. It was a goal she had since she was nine. My youngest is an amazing artists and you know she wants to make your day when she gives you a picture she created. I have spent time with both my Kids’ friends and the conversations we have blow my mind. They want to talk to me. They want to tell me things about themselves and they want to tell me their opinions and their dreams. They also want to hear about life and they like interesting stories of the past, especially of a guy I may have dated, ugh! When I was a teenager, I was too insecure to talk to adults. Kids these days want to have conversations. They may not always want to open up, but if you give them space, they will eventually, especially if they know you will listen to what they have to say.

So, what’s so special about kids these days? They have opinions about all the things that adults have opinions on. They want to be heard! They want someone to listen and take them seriously. They want someone to value their opinion. They want someone to think they have great ideas. They want to be respected, and they want to be treated as an equal. Believe it or not, they care about a lot of the same things we adults do. They think about the future, and they worry about not having enough money to survive.

Kids these days are motivated and want to make a difference. They have goals and dreams as well as plans to make these goals and dreams happen. These kids are our next generation leaders, and entrepreneurs. They lead youth groups, school groups, start small businesses to make some extra money, and like my daughter, lead worship services. They are servants as well. They serve at church, school and in the community. They have learned what volunteering means and they like the feeling of doing so. They have jobs and they feel good about making their own money. They like family time and spending time with their grandparents. This generation of kids are really no different than you and me.

I would like to encourage you the next time you want to say, “kids these days”, say it with a smile and a hope that these kids will make a difference in this world. They need our wisdom, and we need their energy and creative ideas to address the problems of this world. We need each other and the only way we can truly work together is seeing each other through the eyes of God. Kids these days are my daughters, and I see how they are part of the solution and not part of the problem as well as so many other kids their age.

Thank you for reading my blog and letting me express my thoughts on our children. I pray that as adults we will encourage this young generation, and that we will be there cheering them on and not discounting them. God bless you all!

Psalm 127:3 “Children are a gift fr.om the Lord; they are a reward from him.”