Dear Children

Dear Children of Mine,

I love you dearly.  Parents say this to their children all the time, but what does it really mean?  In terms you can understand, let me explain.

IT DOESN'T MEAN I'M GOING TO DO THE WORK FOR YOU-
When your father or I ask you to do a job, we expect YOU to do it, and in a timely fashion.  Letting the job wait until the end of the day in hopes we'll forget or do it ourselves, is not going to happen.  Not only is our memory still sharp, but you are a bonafide member of this family, and that membership comes with it's own reward- contributing to the running of this household.  No slackers allowed.

IT DOESN'T MEAN WE DO WHAT EVERYONE ELSE DOES-
You may be the only children for miles around that are helping with yard work, but that doesn't change our minds.  Truthfully, it only solidifies what we're doing.  We refuse to add to the generation of entitlement.  Listen carefully- HARD WORK NEVER HURT ANYONE.  Nothing good was ever achieved by being lazy, and the hours of lawn mowing, raking, weeding, and trimming will only serve you in the long run.

IT DOES MEAN A LIFE OF SACRIFICE-
The greatest example of love we have is found in Christ, and we aim to be His ambassadors in what we say and do.  From helping others in our neighborhood, to raising a Seeing Eye puppy, or bringing meals to those in need, we look for ways to put others first as Christ did for us.  This may mean stretching ourselves from time to time.  It may mean missing out on a favorite activity.  You can NEVER go wrong in loving someone this way.

IT MEANS GIVING YOU FREEDOM A LITTLE BIT AT A TIME-
When you can be trusted with a little, then you will be trusted with a lot.  A simple principle.  We parent inside the funnel, meaning, we give you a bit of leeway at a time, since too much too soon can be detrimental.  It would be careless for us as parents to leave you for a weekend by yourselves (and against the law).  An hour alone, however, is reasonable at this stage and allows you to grow into the freedom.  If at any time that small bit of freedom is abused, we reign it back in, until we see the trust regained.

IT MIGHT MEAN GOING WITHOUT-
Certain items that are deemed "necessary" in our culture really aren't.  We've been sold a bill of goods, and the payment will come due in the next generation of people who can't communicate face to face yet can text at the speed of lightning.  Your youth should not be filled with all the latest gadgets.  Instead, you should be reading, running around in our yard, playing with the puppy and hanging out with friends.  All this technology only serves to keep us connected ALL THE TIME, which is far from beneficial.

And that my loves, is just a few examples of how we're trying our best to love you.  God willing, one day you'll understand it all.  For now, just know we love you.

XO