Copyright ©1996, ProMotion, inc.
www@acloserlook.com
In This Too Shall Pass, author Kel Groseclose urges "He [Jesus] must increase, but I must decrease" (John 3:29)as a primary text for parents of teens. The everchanging relationship between parents and children calls for a reduction of supervision at about the time parents have learned to watch and prepare closely. That's not to say the parents' role is less important, but it's different as their offspring close in on young adulthood.
This suggestion from Groseclose is only one of the wise and comforting bits of counsel he offers for surviving the "jolts and joys" of parenting teens. This Too Shall Pass includes chapters about most of the changes we see in our teens but may not know how to handle such as their rapid growth and awkwardness and our fear of giving them more independence in the face of drugs, pornography, gangs, AIDS, and suicide. His suggestions include tips on knowing when the best answer is to listen, when to make allowances, and when you are justified in getting upset.
Groseclose writes with plenty of experience as a parent. He is the father of six children. But it is his underlying faith shining through his advice that helps readers learn to be more patient and to cherish the teen years for the special time that they are. Above all, he encourages parents to make real to their teens how much God loves them and to show them the way of thankfulness.
As an adult he looks back on the time he committed his life to Christ. His parents were not anywhere near him and had nothing to do with setting up the event. That was the Lord at work. But in retrospect he knows they had prayed for him and taught him Scripture, his mother had put a Bible in his backpack, and they had encouraged his spiritual growth. They had prepared him as best they could. And God's spirit had acted as they trusted it would.
That is ultimately the answer in This Too shall Pass. The efforts and expectations of parents are very important, but parents are not alone. Neither are their teenagers.
Copyright ©1996, ProMotion, inc.
www@acloserlook.com