I remember when I first started in ministry (at 19 years
old) there were things that ‘shocked’ me.
I would find out about one of our ‘good kids’ doing something that was
‘out of character’ for them. Whatever it
was, I remember feeling like these parents-shock and disbelief. 16 years later, I no longer feel shock and
disbelief. Instead I have realized a
VERY IMPORTANT TRUTH: Good kids-and I mean really
great, awesome, amazing, sweet kids can make bad-and I mean really terrible, awful, stupid
decisions.
I have known the sweetest girls who have been addicted to
porn because they have unlimited and unrestricted access to the internet. I have known adorable and ‘innocent’ boys who
have used more drugs than their parents could imagine because they are a ‘good
kid’ and parents trust them with tons of freedom.
Don’t get me wrong; I am an advocate for believing the best
for your child. However, I think we miss
the mark when we translate believing the best into too much freedom too
soon.
I want you to know this because I see parents let their
guard down all the time because they have a ‘good kid’. Yes! You do! I agree! They are awesome and I
love getting to journey with them. Unfortunately
being a good kid is not a free pass to avoiding bad decision.
BUT-here’s the good news: BAD DECISIONS DON’T DEFINE YOUR
CHILD!!!
I have made make mistakes. I am so grateful that I am not defined by
every bad choice I make. Neither are our
kids.
Don’t fall into the trap that your good kid is incapable of
bad choices. As long as we are this side of heaven, we can goof up.
