June 15-17, 2012

I will be without internet for the next three days!  So, I will pick back up on the reflection on Monday, but in the meantime, here are the assigned readings for Friday-Sunday:

Friday, June 15:  1 Kings 14:1-15:24; Acts 10:1-23A; Psalm 133:1-3; Proverbs 17:7-8


Saturday, June 16:  1 Kings 15:25-17:24; Acts 10:23B-48; Psalm 134:1-3; Proverbs 17:9-11


Sunday, June 17:  1 Kings 18:1-46; Acts 11:1-30; Psalm 135:1-21; Proverbs 17:12-13

"Children's children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children." -- Proverbs 17:6

Some things remain the same.  This text, written thousands of years ago, gave insight to the joy and source of pride grandchildren were for their grandparents.  It also speaks to the importance of the place held by the parents in a child's life.  As a father of teenagers, I'm in the phase of eye-rolls and head-shaking, as my teens wonder how adults in this world got to this state of stupidity.  It wasn't long ago, though, that we parents were the heroes in our kids' lives.  In their mind we knew everything-- every answer to every mystery to every part of the universe.  Maybe they're just still coming down from their unavoidable disappointment after finding out we're human after all... but there are still moments when they desperately need guidance, support, encouragement, and correction.  I look at their eyes expecting the eyes to roll, but they don't.  They are there, just for a moment, fully engaged... ears listening intently... minds processing at lightning speed... and I realize they still need me.  So parents, don't ever think for a minute that just because your kids don't want your input and guidance that they don't need it.   They'll thank you one day for it... or maybe they won't.  But you are still the #1 influence in their lives. In case I haven't thanked my own parents... thanks Mom and Dad.  Though we're grown, we still need you.  Now about keeping the grandkids for a while...

Readings:  


1 Kings 12:20-13:34; Acts 9:26-43; Psalm 132:1-18; Proverbs 17:6