You’re a mom and you are busy doing all the things you have to do to get ready for the next thing you have to do (because that is a never ending story) and in the middle of doing what ever it is , you suddenly realize; where are the kids? You know the time where suddenly it is too quiet and you wonder, “What are they getting into?” I am pretty convinced that being sneaky so you are not caught is a genetic trait, because most of the time they are too young and inexperienced to have actually figured it out.   It is at these times that you come into the kitchen and find them “cooking” or go into the living room and they have discovered that the walls were much too bare and obviously needed more color. Burnt Umber was the Crayola they boldly chose and used with utter abandonment. Silence is very rarely indications that sneaky good things are happening.

There is another kind of silence that occurs as a result of anger. It is the kind of “I am not going to talk to you ever again” kind of silence.   It is funny and almost cute (if it wasn’t so defiant) when they are little. It is so much less fun when they are 15. For some it is a day of celebration when you get more than an ug, uh huh , fine, or other monosyllabic answers to complicated questions about things like “how was your day?” Once again silence doesn’t seem to work real well.

Do you long for rich conversations with your children? Don’t you want to be part of their life and do everything you can to communicate with them? You want them to ask your advice and seek your counsel. You want to be part of their decision-making and hope that they look to you first before doing anything rash. Your ultimate desire is for them to achieve the ultimate life and you have so much experience and wisdom to offer them. If only they would seek you out, involve you, and talk with you.

This is why parents more than any others, should understand the heart of God concerning prayer, and why parents should lead their families by creating a culture of prayer. For all too many families, the silence is deafening.

Parental Guidance Required, come learn how you can create a culture of prayer in your home with your children. A practical question and answer time will follow the sermon.

See you at church,

Pastor Chris