If you are anything like me, living in a “post-covid” world has my mind and heart spinning, as I come down from the constant “fight or flight” that my body has functioned in over the past three years. Illness, loss, fear, diagnosis, restrictions, mandates, lockdowns, pivoting, anxiety, depression, and fill-in-the-blank have taken their toll on us all. Now, as the fog begins to lift, and I begin to process all that has transpired, the Lord has laid this theme upon my husband and I’s hearts…PUSH BACK…but, “How Lord?”
WILD TURNS
I calmly give direction to take a right turn at the light ahead to my not-yet-experienced teenage driver. The sweat beads on my forehead, the turn signal flashes on the dashboard, and the steering wheel begins to smoothly spin, but the speed does not decrease. I reach for a handle, seat, anything I can grasp, and begin to push back on the imaginary brake at my feet. We make the wild turn, and I stare wide-eyed at my son, who sheepishly says, “I came in too hot on that one.” Can all my “parent-taught” driving moms and dads say “AMEN!” I offer my “tips” (a.k.a strong corrections) for next time, and we both laugh at yet another beginner driving “moment.”
CRASHING WAVES
Long after the “new driver moment” I reflect on how that situation is so much like our culture today. Can anyone relate? EVERYTHING is coming in TOO HOT. News, agendas, politics, viruses, sexual orientation, shootings, performance, and extracurricular activities are all in a steady stream that mirrors the engulfing and washing over of a massive tidal wave. Similar to that wave, we as parents and our children take the hit and find ourselves in the same wide-eyed disarray as I did when taking that turn at lightning speed. Questions spin as we seek the truth in the consistent cultural waves. As parents, we often wonder if there is anything we can actually do to turn the tide and right the course for our children. I would offer that we absolutely can! Just as I “pushed back” on my imaginary brake and offered correction and pointers for the road ahead, we as Christ-followers, raising our children are called and equipped to “push back.” Let me offer three key course corrections for parents as we seek to push back.
PUSHING BACK
First and foremost, prioritize your relationship with Christ. Matthew 6:33 says, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Truth, strength, and wisdom are the fruit of seeking a personal and intimate relationship with Christ. We cannot offer sound advice if we are not seeking a God who gives abundantly more than all that we ask or can imagine. Your relationship with Christ equips you as you fight the cultural battles of this present world. Without it, we are fighting blind and ill-equipped.
Second, if you are not already, get involved in a local church/body of believers and consistently attend in person. The Bible says in Hebrews 10:24-25, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” As the old saying goes, “it takes a village to raise a child,” let your village be the church. This is the place of truth, light, and encouragement for your child and for you, as you seek to raise them in His Spirit and truth. Be present and be consistent with your church family.
Third, and finally, pray fervently for your children, their teachers, their friends, their bosses, and anyone who has the ability to influence their life in the current stage of life they are in. James 5: 15-16 says, “And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” Prayer is our weapon in the spiritual battle that rages around us daily. We must be diligent in coming before the throne of God with bold prayers that push back against the lies surrounding and consuming us.
KEEP PUSHING…
Be encouraged and be faithful parents as you seek to raise young men and women who grow in wisdom, stature, and favor with God and man. May the truths of Psalm 44:4-8 be a faithful reminder that the battle is His and the responsibility is ours to push back against the waves,
“You are my King and my God,
who decrees victories for Jacob.
Through you we push back our enemies;
through your name we trample our foes.
I put no trust in my bow,
my sword does not bring me victory;
but you give us victory over our enemies,
you put our adversaries to shame.
In God we make our boast all day long,
and we will praise your name forever.”
Terra Caswell, M.S., CCC-SLP is an Admissions Coordinator for the 2022-2023 school year at Legacy Christian Academy in Frisco, Texas. She recently served as the Coordinator of LCA’s Professional School Program and Dean of the School of Medicine and Humanities in the Upper School. An innovative leader with a professional background of 18 years as a speech-language pathologist in clinical and academic settings which included managing high-performing teams, analyzing student data to create the most successful outcomes, and cultivating strong community partnerships. She is committed to and focused on the advancement of the mission of LCA to develop strong leaders with biblical convictions who are equipped to succeed in college and beyond, and believes that strong partnerships with parents are foundational to success in these efforts.
Legacy Christian Academy is Frisco's preeminent Pre-K through 12 Christian school committed to educating students in a college preparatory environment balanced in academics, athletics, and fine arts–all within the context of a biblical worldview. For more information on Legacy, visit our admissions page.