Last night our church started a few days of "revival" services with an evangelist we've never heard before.  The man is probably in his 60's, has pastored several large churches including the campus church at a well-known Bible college in Florida, and was preaching out of Joshua.  He was talking about discouragement, which all Christians face eventually, he says.  I could almost agree with everything he said until he said this, "You parents of young people - teenagers - don't you feel discouraged all the time?  Well, maybe once in a while you don't."  I sat in stunned silence.  I couldn't believe he said it, and tried to make myself believe I had just misunderstood him.  But no, that's really what he said.  And I wanted to jump up and shout, "NO!  I'm NOT discouraged!  Raising children to the teen years and beyond is the MOST ENCOURAGING THING I'VE EVER DONE!!!"  I wonder how his comment made all the teens in the auditorium feel.  I wonder about his children, and why they are such a discouragement to him.  Know this, that your children don't have to be discouraging, that they can lift you up and encourage you every day, and that you have the power to make them whatever you want them to be, but START TODAY.  Start by becoming what you want your children to be.  They WILL imitate you.  Don't put it off until tomorrow.  Tomorrow they will BE teenagers and then it will be too late.

Be thankful ~

Karen