"I'm young and just a child, I need my parents to parent me!" -Json
Though I currently work in college ministry, for years I worked with kids and teenagers. Most of my time working with them has been as a camp counselor. Usually I have had at least one kid in my group during camp who was annoying. He just drove me crazy! He cursed, he mocked, he picked fights, and of course he never listened.
Then I got that kid alone and discovered something: his biggest problem was at home. Abusive, neglectful parents. Parents who talked down to their kids and never once said, "I love you" or showed any sign of affection. The parent who wasn't there the most was their dad. I worked with inner city kids in Willimantic for two summers and discovered that EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM had no significant father figure in their lives. So many parents medicate their kids instead of lovingly discipline them. So many parents discipline and forget about the love part.
I've met a lot of orphans.
Orphans who had biological parents
Parents they lived with
but not parents they needed.
To be honest, I don't feel qualified to talk about this issue. One reason is I'm not a parent. I'm a single guy who doesn't even have a girlfriend. I also do have loving parents. My parents would easily take a bullet for me and have no trouble showing needed affection to me. I'm thankful for that. So it feels weird for me to talk about this issue.
But it's been nagging at my heart.
So is your home life hard?
Are you one who has never heard the words, "I love you" ever come out of your parents' mouths?
Do you have parents who you feel like you're parenting because of their childish behavior?
Did he hit you tonight?
Did she tell you that you'll never amount to anything?
They never encourage you, do they?
Do you even remember what your dad's voice sounds like?
When Dad stumbles home drunk, do chills run down your spine?
You miss Mom when she goes out clubbing, don't you?
Did your parents show up to your graduation last summer?
Did Mom kiss you goodnight last night?
Did Dad pray with you before bed?
Do you go days without saying a word to your parents?
Did he touch you? Are you still afraid to say anything?
You're angry aren't you? They make you angry, don't they?
God is that Father you've always dreamed of. He doesn't just want to call you "friend", but "son" or "daughter." Praying you'll know what true Fatherly love feels like. Praying that He will give you the strength to forgive and love those who failed to love you.
I'm praying for you tonight.
