9/28/17

Today I want to briefly talk about a parent's job to stand at the "gates" of their home and stop any kind of foolishness to creep in.  In the early days of the Children of Israel they would post guards in many different locations around the city to "watch" for the enemy to sneak in (read 1 Chronicles to get an idea of how many men this entailed!).  What is crazy is that the best watchmen weren't placed on the back or side gates, but rather on the main front gates where the most traffic was going through.  The thought was that the enemy is more likely to sneak in where least expected rather than covertly sneaking in over some back wall (although they placed guards there as well).  As a parent YOU are that guard watching over the traffic coming in and out of your city, you home.  Most of the traffic coming in and out is safe, normal...but its also where you least expect it that the enemy strikes.  In a home this looks like the neighborhood kid, or the visiting cousin.  Your guard is down and your thinking your son our daughter is up in their rooms studying or playing a game, when reality is they are being exposed to all manner of foolishness and debauchery.  This is your job, this is when you are called to "man the gates."  Keep a roving sentinel.  That means, walk around the house, visit their rooms, go sit in on and participate in conversations with their friends.  Don't assume everything is alright.  We are not called to be "paranoid", but doing your job isn't being paranoid, its doing your job.  Never assume that a few "stern" words is enough.  I have a friend that is a big menacing looking man (I'm physically afraid of him) and he talks often about the boys that want to date his daughters.  He talks of having a chair on the front porch and a shotgun in his hand to protect his girls!  This is all great and all, but reality is of his two daughters one has already gotten pregnant (before her 17th birthday) and the other is following a similar path.  It's not about the hype, its about the day to day little things...watching the gate.  For example, do you know the "friends" that are coming in and out of your doors?  The different social media tools your kids are using may be weapons that are destroying them...do you know?  Are you aware of what is going in and out of their heads?  what about what is on their ipods?  Are you aware of what you are letting them program their brain with?  Don't threaten, be the steady eye at the gate.  Every night you should be checking over their stuff, going through their notebooks, taking a look at what has happened during their day.  At first their response might be anger, but that will soon turn into a sense of security that YOU are doing your job and that they are safe.  Sadly this is not the norm now days and for some reason kids think "privacy" and not being vulnerable are more to be valued than a hedge of protection, better known as dad or mom.  This is a soap box that I can go on and on about...so if you want more ideas or have questions please just email and ask.