It’s hard to believe the kids are starting their second month of school today.  It seems like we were just going back-to-school shopping… But, as they rushed around this morning, getting themselves ready to head out the door, I found myself wondering, is it enough?

I wasn’t thinking about the clothes they were wearing, or the supplies they were stuffing into their backpacks.  Nope.  Thankfully, those items are well-stocked so I don’t worry about those so much.

Instead, what really makes me stop dead in my tracks from time-to-time is when I think about everything that the world throws at them.

Every.  Single.  Day.

The World

Often times, I think I have it super easy.  I have the luxury of controlling my environment – for the most part.  Just this morning, another atrocity was on the news.  I decided not to watch the videos on TV or on Facebook.  It’s not that I don’t care or am callous to the terrible things that go on in the world.  I read the news stories and then prayed for the hundreds of people and their families who were affected.  But, I am in control of what enters my brain.  I can choose whether or not to turn on the TV or click play on a video.  And, I have some say in who I spend time with and the interactions I have during the day.

Our kids – not so much.

They are bombarded by the world as soon as they walk out the door.  From hearing the most creative uses of swears on the bus to the temptation of joining their friends and look at inappropriate things online or on social media, to seeing fights break out in the hallways.

It seems like a far cry from how my generation grew up.  But was it?  I don’t know.  Thinking back, I remember kids swearing on my bus, and there were a few fights in school.  (Yes, even my little Catholic elementary school…)  But, the world seemed a bit gentler and not quite so rough and imposing.

Perhaps it was my perspective and perception.  I’ll never know.

But, what I do know is that it’s not so gentle outside of these four walls.

I truly believe we live in one of the safest areas in the United States.  After all, I have heard us called, “The Heartland of America” time and time again.  However, we aren’t living in a bubble.  Even though we don’t have metal detectors as we enter our schools, that doesn’t mean our kids aren’t vulnerable to attacks.

So, that means we need to be even more purposeful and cognizant about what we are giving to our kids.

What do our kids need?

After thinking and praying on this, it hit me: Ephesians 6 – The Armor of God.

Last of all I want to remind you that your strength must come from the Lord’s mighty power within you.  Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand safe against all strategies and tricks of Satan.  For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against persons without bodies – the evil rulers of the unseen world, those mighty satanic beings and great evil princes of darkness who rule this world; and against huge numbers of wicked spirits in the spirit world.

So, use every piece of God’s armor to resist the enemy whenever he attacks, and when it is all over, you will still be standing up.

But to do this, you will need the strong belt of truth and the breastplate of God’s approval.  Wear shoes that are able to speed you on as you preach the Good News of peace with God.  In every battle, you will need faith as your shield to stop the fiery arrows aimed at you by Satan.  And you will need the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit – which is the Word of God.

Pray all the time.  Ask God for anything in line with the Holy Spirit’s wishes.  Plead with him, reminding Him of your needs, and keep praying earnestly for all Christians everywhere.                  Ephesians 6:10-18 LAB

We know the enemy is behind all of the terrible things in the world.  So, in order to prepare our kids to be resilient and not succumb to his attacks, we need to prepare them.

Is it Enough?

So, what we’ve given our kids – is it enough?

We have brought them up with good manners and have tried to teach them right from wrong.  They have been disciplined when necessary and praised when appropriate.  We have given them a Christian home with Christian values.  They have gone to church camp and youth devotionals.  We gave them their own Bibles and more Bible Story books than I can remember.

I could go on and on about what I think we have given them…

But, is it enough?

Is it enough to counteract the endless streams of swears they hear on the bus? And will they continue to think it’s inappropriate after hearing it so frequently it becomes commonplace?

Will it be enough to encourage them to pause and think before joining in on something they really shouldn’t be doing?

Is it enough to serve as a foundation upon which they can build their faith and strengthen on their own?

Is it enough to give them the strength to make the harder decisions that they will need to make every day?

I have prayed it is.  But, now I know it’s not.

What I learned

As I write this, the more convicted I get.  If you had asked me this morning about how I felt we were doing with our kids, I would have said, pretty good.  Turns out, not only is that bad grammar, it wasn’t entirely true… So, now I know the areas we have been slacking.  I need to really study out The Full Armor of God.  Time to turn things around and refocus.  Our kids need all the help they can get.

As a parent, I need to be sure they get enough.

Your thoughts?

What do you think?  What do you think we need to be sure to give our kids to equip them to resist the world?  How have you helped to make sure you have given your kids enough?   I would love to hear your thoughts.  Can’t wait to hear from you all!