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Planting is hard work; if you had a garden this year, think back over your labors. The heat, the bugs, the weeds, the back-breaking work…it’s a job that one must tend consistently and without fruit for a while.

But oh the harvest!

A story was told of an old, beautiful church. After hundreds of years, the beams began to rot. As the elders discussed the remedy, the oldest member motioned them to come to the back. He pointed across the field behind the church where grew some of the largest, most impressive oak trees the eyes have ever seen.

“When the founders of this church built it, they knew that in time, long after they were gone, the beams would need to be replaced, and could not be replaced with just anything. So they planted those trees there for that purpose.”

Now that’s vision!

We’ve got to plant the seeds of cedars (or oaks!) that we will never even see! Not only are we called to pass on a spiritual legacy to our children, but the Bible speaks of our children’s children. We must raise our children in such a way that their faith grows roots far into the next generation.

It takes deliberate life-work to do that! No, it isn’t done apart from God’s grace and divine order. But it also isn’t done by a flippant attitude that takes advantage of that grace. We must speak of Him, live for Him, be willing to die for Him and pass that fervent love on to our children.

We want results now…we want fruit now…we want instant trees. But God has never worked like that. Sometimes His purposes through someone or some group of people can’t even be realized until long after they’re gone. That’s why faith in the unseen is SO important to Christians!

Will members of the next generation be able to see the diligence of the “planters” in this one?

We cannot be weary in well-doing! There’s a forest depending on our faithfulness. The seeds we plant should bear fruit for generation after generation.

Only He can see the big picture; we need only trust His sovereignty and keep planting, hoeing and cultivating our trees!

What do we mean by raising the bar for the young people in our culture? And why does it matter?

I’m not describing some dictatorial return to harsh labor and “kids are only good for work” mentality–AT ALL! I’m describing a godly vision of seeing young people as valuable as God sees them, and expecting them to behave in such a way.

I’m suggesting that we should be resisting the notion that a young person should be dawdling their best years away on mindless amusement, losing precious opportunities to grow, learn and develop their gifts.

We should be expecting more, requiring more and encouraging more from our children. We should be equipping them in these years for their adult lives.

A Sliver of Our Universe 😉

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It’s one of those things easier to understand if you have seen it in action. If I may, I would like to describe to you a sliver of our universe, a picture of what we have the privilege of being a part of, the community of friends and families that have instructed and counseled us through their lives.

You may be blessed to live among such a community–I hope so!

Just within our closest circle of friends, there are over 150 children; this is not counting the dozens of other families we get together with on less frequent occasions.

SERVING. The “picture” you would see if you could look in, is a group of young people foremost dedicated to serving others. Often we meet in large groups and we make a lot of messes! But, at the end of the fun, every child, as if on cue, will dive into work. Sweeping, folding chairs, cleaning–it’s natural for them to try to keep the adults from having to do most of the work.

Secondly, there is an intense love for helping the weak among them. Young children or elderly, these young people naturally defer to them.

HONOR. Another characteristic is honor and respect. I have hardly ever heard a word, or seen a facial expression that represented dishonor toward adults, and especially toward a parent.

CHIVALRY. The young men, in particular, are such a blessing to watch. They have a protective nature about them that causes them to constantly be on the look out for how they can help. I’ve scarcely ever carried even a casserole dish that at least one young man didn’t run out and offer to carry it for me. Chivalry is a cherished virtue!

INTELLIGENT. If you were to stand among a group of these young people, you would notice their conversation. These are intelligent kids. They discuss intelligent things–and like it! Sometimes, I don’t even know what they’re talking about!

SOCIAL SKILLS. Yet another observance is simple courtesy and manners. It may seem silly that I would point out the simple greetings they are accustomed to give adults they encounter, until I’m among other teens elsewhere and am astonished to find that they not only don’t greet me, but I can barely get them to respond at all.

WORK. These young people are not strangers to work and productivity. They are some of the hardest working kids I’ve ever seen. It’s natural for them. It’s a part of life. They don’t feel unfairly burdened or slighted–they feel honored to play such an integral part in their family.

PRODUCTIVE. To use an antiquated term, these kids are “accomplished.” Talented beyond belief. Whether musical gifts, or writing and speaking abilities, or the domestic arts, they are cranking out productivity! And always to the glory of God.

HUMILITY. They wear total humility, despite all their gifts and accomplishments. It is a beautiful sight.

And I painted this picture only because I want to encourage parents out there to see your “teen” as the valuable, contributing member that he is. He should not be viewed a drain. And if he is, he will become one.

Raise the Bar!

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My challenge is to RAISE THE BAR. Paul advised Timothy, “Let no one despise you because of your youth.”

Last week, when a woman said to me, “I loved my kids too until they became teenagers”…my heart broke. I wrapped my arms around my sweet 14-year old, and thanked God for her heart and life.

Wrap your arms around your teens today and expect them to become what God desires them to be!