+Jeanne Takenaka @JeanneTakenaka
Our Five Minute Friday prompt this week is—TRUTH. This largely unedited “rough draft” form of writing stretches this perfectionist, in the best of ways. I write for five minutes on a given topic. If you’re interested in learning more about 5-Minute Fridays, check out our hostess, Kate Motaung’s site. Or, click on the link at the bottom of this post. As you read my simpler Friday posts, I hope you’ll join in the conversation!
TRUTH
As a mom, one of the hardest things I’ve encountered is watching my boys grapple with God’s truth. In a world that feeds them lies at the speed of light, they hear tons of different messages and come away confused. And sometimes hardened.
And honestly? Some of them sound pretty good. They hear messages that it’s not wrong to try drugs, or alcohol. It’s not wrong to have sex. It’s okay to bend the truth, just a little, to stay out of trouble. And if it feels good, it must be okay.
Yet, when we believe and act on lies, we end up maimed. When we live according to our own truth and disregard what God says is true? We end up stripped of value, of hope.
My boys will each have to come to their own conclusion that living their lives, making choices based on what God says is true is the best thing they can do. Hubs and I have told them. We’ve talked about it with them.
One of the hardest things (so far) about being the mom of teens is giving our boys the freedom to explore and come to the understanding that God’s truths are eternal. That God gave us His truth out of His great love for us. He knows what’s best for us.
We have to let our children discover the beauty of God’s truth. It’s in them working it out for themselves that they come to make His truth their own.
Our guys are going to make some poor choices along the way. I can still guide them. It’s scary to know I am not always the main person they listen to anymore.
I pray way more often and more fervently for my boys now that they’re in the teen years. I pray that they will understand that God truth sets them free. That His truth is what ultimately defines them.
God’s truth is the only truth worth listening to. As their mom, I will pray day in and day out. And I will be available to listen when they share their thoughts. And I will pray for God’s words and for their hearts to be open to hearing His truth.
What about you? Which of God’s truths have helped you in relationships in your life? Which of God’s truths has given you freedom?
Click to Tweet: God gave us His truth out of His great love for us.
I’m linking up with Kate Motaung’s Five Minute Friday—TRUTH
Jeanne Takenaka 
I know how difficult it is to give your kids the freedom to make mistakes and learn their own truth about God. We can equip our kids, but we can’t force them. Which brings me to the answer to your question. The truth that resonates with me as a parent is the one about brining our children up in the way that is right and when they are old, they won’t depart from it. It doesn’t say anything about their adolescence, just that at one point, they will come back to it and cling to it and never depart again.
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Anita, first, please forgive me for not writing sooner. This weekend has been a bit . . . busy. 🙂 I am thankful for the hope found in Prov 22:6. We do try to train up our boys, but I know the Holy Spirit has to quicken the spirits before they will truly follow God whole-heartedly. So we try to live the example until that awakening happens. 🙂 Thanks for the encouragement and perspective!
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God has a plan that He is working out in my life, my husband’s life, and the lives of our children. I don’t have to know what the future holds. He does! (Romans 8:28 Jeremiah 29:11)
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Yes, Rosebud Mama. I’m so thankful we don’t have to know what the future holds because we know Who holds the future. I need to remember this truth on the hard days. 🙂 Thanks so much for stopping by!
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Yes, praying! When I think of leaders, like Nehemiah, it is the first thing He always did first before making any decisions and movement. As parents entrusted to lead our children, you’ve reminded me it is the first action for us to take too.
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Lynn, prayer has become a more integral part of my life. I’m thankful God hears and answers our prayers. I appreciate your reminder that godly leaders turned (and still turn) to prayer first. I need to become more consistent in doing this too. 🙂 Thanks for your insight!
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oh… I hope (and will pray that) your boys will see the truth well. 🙂
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Thank you, Annette. I am guessing you’ve walked through some of this struggle as well. 🙂
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Great post, jeanne. Loved you honesty and heart, here. And the pictures!
The truth that really resonates with me is that of ‘the Christian path is gonna hurt, but God will walk it with you’.
Too ill to say much more, sorry. God bless, my friend!
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Andrew, I’m so sorry you’ve been so ill. I am praying for you, day and night. And the truth you share–that the Christian path is going to hurt resonates with what our pastor shared this morning. It went something to the effect of: Being a Christian doesn’t give you an easier life, but it does give you a worthwhile life. YOu’re the epitome of not having an easy life, but you are living your days with honor. And setting such a godly example for those of us who know you. Thank you, my friend.
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you are so right jeanne. it is scary! but learning to trust GOD is something we need to do sooner rather than later with our teens. having them learn to make decisions at appropriate ages in their teens prepares them for college and adulthood when those decisions will have more far-reaching effects…and we aren’t always there for them to call on when they are swamped!
Knowing He is holding them and us in His hand is also very encourging as well!
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So true, Martha. Entrusting our teens, our boys to God is crucial if I hope to make it through these years and still have hair on my head. 😉 I am trying to keep in mind the truth that we want them to be able to make wise choices as they move toward and into adulthood. This means they need that practice NOW. So hard some days. Thank you for the picture reminder that God is holding them—and us—in His hands. 🙂
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Parenting teens…. Wow!! I’d imagine this will be so hard. Bea is just finishing up 2 years at a Lutheran preschool and her love for Jesus is strong and Loud! My heart hurts a little for next year when that joy and love just won’t be fostered in the same ways… But, I know that it will still be there and I pray that God will give her opportunities at her new school, too.
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Annie, you are setting yourself up for success for the teen years because you’re intentional to engage with your girls. 🙂 It is hard to watch them as they head off to school. Changes come, and some are hard to watch. The good thing is God has His hand on your girls. 🙂 He’ll give you and your husband the wisdom you need to guide them as they grow. 🙂
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It is a scary world that we release our children into. We often wonder if we’ve done enough to impress upon them the importance of making a decision for Christ. When I think back to my own experience with my parents I remember this, they prayed, they prayed everyday. You could walk pass their bedroom and see them quietly on their knees, humbly engaged with God. That image left a lasting impression on me.
When as a young man a time came when I questioned faith I couldn’t help but picture the two people I loved and respected most on their knees, night after night. They didn’t just talk about there being a God, they lived as if He was present with them every day.
Maybe living out our faith, right there in front of them, day after day is the best form of evangelism we can offer our children, and their children.
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Gene, I so appreciate your words. I do need to remember that the example my husband and I set as we follow the Lord will be something they remember and hopefully fully embrace…one day. What a beautiful picture your parents gave you via their example. I think you’re right. The best form of evangelism we can share with our kids is our example. Thanks for that encouragement.
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I called the teen years “LIFE 101” Teaching Truth every.chance.I.got.
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Love that, Susan. LIFE 101. I’ve been praying this weekend, that I will be a little more forthright with my kids when it comes to sharing the things of God with them. 🙂
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Amen. I’m the mama of a boy and the world is a scary place. Lisa Bevere has an incredible course on “Raising Men.” If you haven’t seen it, I’d give it try. Sending love and glad to be your #fmf friend. ❤
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Carolina, thanks for the reference. I’ll see if I can find it. 🙂 May God continue to strengthen you as you raise your boy. So thankful for you, FMF friend!
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Jeanne,
oh wow. My oldest turns ten this summer, so I’m not quite to the teen and letting go more stage. That we build their lives on the foundation of truth, though, is such a rich gleaning from your story! That when they are old, they will not depart from it. That they would put their faith in God and not in their mommas, that is our goal, but it’s painful to give up our god-like status in their life!
Thank you. You have given me much to think about!
Love,
Tammy
(#5 on FMF this week)
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Yes, Tammy. It’s good for us to consider the foundation we’re encouraging our children to build their lives upon. And yes, my prayer is that our boys will put their faith in God first. He’s WAAAAY wiser than this mama!
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“That His truth is what ultimately defines them.” That’s the longing for all parents. We guide them but they must embrace it for themselves. Praying with you on the journey.
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So, so true, Stephanie. That is my longing to be sure. I long for the day when they embrace God’s truth with their whole hearts. 🙂 Thank you for those prayers!
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