Before We Make S'mores. Talking to Your Kids About Current Events.
One hot summer morning here in Austin, Texas, my family and I were packing for our trip to California while Good Morning America played in the background. We thought nothing of the news reporter recounting the previous days' events; it was like a backdrop of white noise for our chaos. This particular day, the news stopped us in our tracks. Our world was in utter disarray with another mass shooting, and my heart grew heavy.
I could easily have swept things under the rug as we were in a hurry to get out the door and on the road, but it just didn’t feel right. A pause felt necessary, so I called a family meeting.
I asked my children ( 17,15,11, and 10 at the time) what they knew about “Things going on in the news.” Their answers varied.
“Cops killing people.”
“People killing cops.”
“Isis.”
“Mass shootings in churches.”
“Mass shootings in schools.”
“Crazy political candidates.”
They knew what they knew at the time but did they know how to make sense of it all? I started by reminding them how good they’ve got it and that it is a privilege to live their lives the way they do here in America, “land of the free and home of the brave,” and that they are blessed to be healthy and happy and cared for.
With tears in my eyes, I pleaded with them to do something worthwhile with their lives, help someone less fortunate, care for the hurting and broken, and make the world a better place.” This generation will inherit the earth someday soon, and I want them to know how to lead peoples' hearts, not just teams or companies.
My dear friend Erin, who is one of my "boy mom" heroes, and is committed to making the world around her a better place, posted these thoughts on Facebook, and it gave me hope.
Perhaps my thoughts here; my talk with my kiddos before we head out the door on vacation… before we make smores… might help you talk to yours. I think it’s essential.
Whenever life seems to make no sense, I look to the word of God. It is my owner’s manual, where I turn when I am forced to (as I like to call it) fly by my instruments.
I tell my children this:
Jesus is alive and well, and God is on the throne, but here on this earth, we have an enemy.
If we, as Christians, believe in God and Jesus, AND the words in the Bible, then we know and understand that there is a very real enemy who means us harm.
The Bible says:
Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour: 1 Peter 5:7-9
and not only that but:
The hearts of men (humans) are deceitful and sick.
The heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately sick; Who can understand it? Jeremiah 17:9
Why then are we surprised when evil people do evil things?
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial that has come upon you, as though something strange were happening to you.
What we see is shocking and sad but should not surprise us, given the condition of things here on earth. But the injustice of evil makes us feel helpless, doesn’t it?
I tell my children that we can learn from scripture not to ‘return evil for evil.’ (This has been the rule in our home for as long as I have had toddlers fighting and seeking justice against one another.) But we can love our enemies and pray for them.
"Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
On this side of heaven, there will always be good and evil. But in the end… Good always wins…. God always wins.
Yes, there is evil my babies.... but there is good too! We will trust God to sort it out. Maybe we should start watching The 700 Club (uplifting Christian news) once in a while or some inspirational YouTube videos to balance out our souls. Literally, as I am typing this, my sweet So Cal friend Chris Blue posted this on Instagram.
Yes indeed. The world needs more of this!
Although we have natural enemies, we should focus on the spiritual battle, fight on with prayer and faith, and begin winning the hearts of men through love.
Put on the whole armor of God so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world's darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:12
In the meantime, we can dwell on the good things so as not to lose hope:
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think on these things. Whatever you have learned and received and heard from me, and seen in me, put these things into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:8
We must live by these words lest all the lousy news renders us hopeless and ineffective.
Love your enemies:
If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Matthew 5:43-48
This passage really spoke to my 10-year-old son who said, “I see what you are saying mom." and then preached a little mini-sermon right there in the family room on how to turn the other cheek and love your neighbor.
They will know us by our love:
A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so also you must love one another. John 13:35
My daughter Rebekah has a saying in our house when things get chaotic, she says, “No hate, only love!” Then she makes the iconic heart with her hands and it somehow diffuses the unrest. She is a peacemaker. The world needs more of this and they need to see us loving each other.
"As long as it depends on me live at peace with everybody" Romans 12:18
For as long as I can remember I have been declaring this in my home. It is on my walls and on a candle and in our hearts. Imagine if every one of us lived like this.
The family meeting went long but I could feel the coin dropping a bit and the presence of the Lord lingering thick in my family room. We had bags still to pack and a plane to catch, but things felt better now, so I recapped.
We know there are spiritual and earthy enemies, and we must fight in the spirit. (prayer)
We must not answer evil with evil.
We must answer with love.
WE MUST LOVE!
We must trust God to sort it out.
There is still good to dwell on and joy to be found.
Be peacemakers and peace seekers.
In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon tries to make sense of his life and comes to this conclusion: Fear God and keep His commandments.
The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments because this applies to every person.
Please, Please, Please do something good with this great life of yours! Extend a hand, bridge a gap, reach back and help someone, stand up and teach someone, wait for someone. Cheer people up and on. Be peace seekers who go the extra mile and love others well.