How Can We Change the Cycle?

My husband, Mitzee and I decided to go to Coconut Point Mall and take in the music that they have every night from 6-9pm.  We parked, grabbed doggie bags and off we went.  We heard the music and made a beeline.  It was nice but not at all the set up we expected.  So, after 10 minutes of several people adoring and holding Mitzee, we cut away and decided to walk the mall.

It's a beautiful mall, lit up with water spraying out of the ponds, the palm trees swaying, food smells entering your nose and you cannot help but feel that life is good at that moment.  You ponder that thought and know that you are truly blessed with a wonderful husband who adores you and treats you like a queen, a dog that loves you unconditionally even when its raining and she doesn't understand that there's no walk today and five beautiful daughters with sons-in-laws that I love.  Does it get better than that?  No, to be loved is the best.

As we walked, we passed kids in large and small groups.  Girls with girls talking on their cell phones trying to act big; boy and girl walking trying to start a relationship and are awkward at it; and a group of boys talking loud, commenting on everything in a critical way, putting down everything, (even my dog!) and reaking havoc.  Only taking time to pull up their jeans that are slowly making their way to their knees. 

As we walk and talk, I think back to my childhood and wonder, did I do that?  I think we all did to some extent and maybe in different ways in order to gain independence, worth, confidence, to show how grown up we are, how tough we are not only to and for ourselves, but to others as well.

But the kids in my time were content with just riding our bikes as fast as we could, speeding down the steepest hill, or hanging around at the little restaurant that served the best french fries and coke, talking and having a great time.  

But the kids today are definitely different.  One because the world is not as it was 45 years ago, two because we are not the parents our parents were, and three because our culture and environment is different and maybe they have to be?  This is entirely debateable and I don't think I have enough life left to do so.  It seems like they're not content unless they are criticizing someone, beating someone up, vandalizing, breaking,  and just being cruel.

As a grandmother of 4, I find this disturbing.  I don't want my grandsons (a girl is coming) to have to be bullied, treated cruelly, threatened, etc.  They're only as safe as their environment.

How do we stop this cycle?  Doesn't it begin with the parents?  If the parents do not play an active roll in the life of their children, yes, they will get into trouble and you will find yourself on the other end of the phone call or at the door in the wee hours, talking to a cop.

I just pray that we can stop this cycle and return our children to the values, attitudes, morals and strength that I grew up with.

Ponder this:  We are so busy giving our kids what we did not have, we aren't giving them what we did have.

Lord, I pray that your people would have a fire ignited in them to reach out to you and your word and be a positive influence in their life.  It takes a light to know a light.

May God shine on you today and give you a wonderful surprise.