by Dennis and Barbara Rainey
August 14
An Agonizing Decision James 1:5
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
Our daughter Rebecca was involved in gymnastics, and she was doing well. As her level of skill increased, she was expected to spend more time at the gym. She would train from 4-8:30 P.M., three days a week. Barbara and I were concerned about the direction this was taking. We realized that, if Rebecca kept moving into higher levels in gymnastics, it would take her away from her family. She was spending more time with her coach than she was with us. And she was fast approaching the turbulent years of adolescence.
While we appreciated gymnastics for the discipline it gave Rebecca, we had other priorities. Ultimately, we felt God was leading us to fortify our relationship with Rebecca before she became a teenager.
The more we prayed the more we realized that, if Rebecca continued in gymnastics, we would not have the time to work with her in areas we considered more important. In a year she would turn 13, and we consider the time just before teen years to be crucial for building character and preparing for the pressures and choices.
After months of agonizing prayer, we decided to pull Rebecca out of gymnastics. While we would not argue with a parent who made an opposite decision, the point I want to make is that we had a vision for the type of woman Rebecca could become-a woman who would walk with God and make an impact for Christ. And we believed that the best place for her to learn and grow and mature was not in a gymnasium but in our home.
As parents, we need to be clear about the character qualities and relationships we are building in our children. Children are a high and holy calling. They are the legacy we leave to the next generation. Neil Postman said, "Our children are the living messages we send to a time we will not see." What kind of message are you sending?
Prayer:
Ask God for His favor as you seek to raise children that will be "living" messages of hope to the next generation.
Discuss: What is your vision for the type of people your children will become? Why not consider listing the qualities you want to see in your children.