Be real

I used to teach the 12-19 year olds at our church. This is the age group most didn't want because they don't like fake people. Kids are very honest and most adults can't deal with that because it suggests that they have a issue. I have always been open and honest with my children and the children I taught, I did not want them to think for one minute that I have it all together or that I have never sinned. It is because of the junk from my past that I am able to relate to the youth and they can relate to me. 90% of the youth I have encountered call their parents fake and hypocrites, why? because most people get to a certain place of success and forget where God brought them from. And when their children don't meet their expectations they come down on them with judgment and criticism instead of love, compassion, and patience. We as adults need to let our children know we have made mistakes and that it is okay to make them. We must show them in love how to learn from them. Just recently American Family radio discussed a very sad incident that happened in India. A father was so upset about the life his daughter was living that he cut off her head and paraded it around the village before turning himself over to authorities. What could that child have done to deserve that, absolutely nothing!! No man has the right to play God and I am pretty sure that self righteous man has his own set of skeletons in his closet. Most of us don't go to that extreme but words can cause a child to slowly die inwardly, killing the child's self esteem and self concept. Be real with your child/children and let them know you made mistakes, the consequences you faced and let them know you want better for them. It will help them to understand who you are and why you do or say what you do.