Stop bashing the kids!

“One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could lay his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him. But Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.” And he placed his hands on their heads and blessed them before he left.”

Matthew 19:13-15 NLT -- http://bible.com/116/mat.19.13-15.nlt

I am surrounded, every day, by the hope of the world. This hope can frustrate me immensely, they challenge me, they make mistakes, and they view life with jaded eyes. But, I love them and they do provide me with hope. They also are the true definition of compassion and kindness. I love it that nothing is easy with them and I like the way they challenge the status quo. What I don't like is the way they are constantly bashed by some people. Bashing young people is not new. Adults in the sixties hated our clothes, hair, and what we fought for. Adults of the 70's,80's, and 90's all hated the trends of young people. It's always been that way. We have this rose colored-view of how life was when we were young. Things haven't changed much. Kids are kids. Sure they play video games when we played tag. They watch Netflix when we went to the movies. The things they spend there leisure time on is different, not better, and certainly not worse than what we did.

Instead of criticizing young people, we need to teach them about Jesus. Instead of attacking there lives, we need to build relationships and show them Jesus. We show them with our own lives, not with words, threats and criticism. We show them with love not judgment. We show them by being Jesus.

Dear Lord, I praise you for the wonderful gift I have been given in teaching kids. I am blessed to be a part of their lives. Help me, Lord, to set an example you would be proud of. Help me to share Jesus by my words, but more importantly my actions. Help me to win their hearts for you! Amen!

What marvelous love the Father has extended to us! Just look at it—we’re called children of God! That’s who we really are. But that’s also why the world doesn’t recognize us or take us seriously, because it has no idea who he is or what he’s up to. (1 John 3:1 MSG)

I love being a teacher. I get to see, first hand, some really great kids. I'm not their father, but I am just as proud. It is common, and has been for decades, to look at our youth in negative terms. Old people compare the youth of today to their past. It's easy to look back 30 or more years and only remember the great things. One of the things I enjoy most about young people is their idealism. They truly believe they can solve the worlds problems. As adults, we just don't take them seriously. I get to see first hand what goes through their minds and I am optimistic about what they can accomplish.

Christians are very similar to the youth of today. A lot of people just don't take us seriously. They don't believe in the power of the Love of Jesus Christ. They scoff at our idealism. They are skeptical of our service attitude. They can't believe people would actually extend a helping hand without reward.

We need to continue to share that childlike love with the lost. We need to hold on to that teenage idealism of saving the world. Our Father is proud of us and loves us even when we fail. We need to do the same with our youth. We need to encourage them, laugh with them, and give them every opportunity to get the most out of life. The example of our own lives can be the life that leads them to Christ. If we can get enough of our youth to come to that saving relationship with Christ, they truly will save the world.