Jun 10 2008
Shining Their Light or Safe in Protection
One thing I think every Christian parent struggles with is the amount we let our children into this scary world.
It would seem so much safer to just keep them by you at all times, to limit contact with the outside world. To protect them from the snares out there.
But then how are they learning to be a light? How are they learning to hold onto their faith and rely on God and follow him out of temptation? How about the kids in school or our neighbors who don’t know God but might learn from my kids?
But then again, what happens when they are out there as a light and they get swayed themselves. Except someday, no matter how much protecting I do they will leave my little nest and I have to hope that I have trained them well enough to live in the real world and not be too influenced by others. Somehow I think locking them in the house is not going to accomplish that, though I so wish I could.
What a big responsibility, what a challenge. I wish I could offer answers but now I have many questions.
Yet once again, I have hope that I serve God who loves my children and who is in control.
2 Responses to “Shining Their Light or Safe in Protection”
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One the best analogies I’ve ever head on this topic is that of a greenhouse and starting seeds indoors.
Seeds started outdoors have a much less chance of germination.
Plants grown only in a greenhouse are weaker and unable to stand up the rigors of the “real world”.
While plants where seedlings are started indoors get off to a better start. Then a careful process of hardening off is begun to selectively and carefully expose the plant to outdoor weather and environment to strengthen the plants slowly. They aren’t just thrown out into the incliment weather - they are carefully exposed with more and more exposure over time as they grow and gain strength.
More time and hands on attention is required on the part of the master gardener - but it is the BEST method for starting young seedlings AND developing strong, fruitful plants.
I LOVE the analogy.
Thank you for sharing this. Great analogy.