The Band Perry has one of the most popular songs right now entitled "If I Die Young". The song is a ballad about life cut short. Kimberly Perry says, "We wanted to write a song about making the most of whatever time you're given -- whether it's two years, twenty years or two hundred". What are some of the most memorable events in our lives? Weddings, funerals, the birth of a child, there are many things in life that cause one to stop and think. Psalm 90:12 says "so teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom" (ESV). The psalmist speaks of the importance of living each day to it's fullest. Sometimes parents miss this point when it comes to teens. The stresses on teens may seem minimal to us as parents but it is probably the first time a teen feels real stress that really challenges them. Teens genuinely seek after the abundant life Christ speaks of in John 10:10. Let us help our teens to accomplish their goals by praying. Pray for wise decisions, no matter how much we agree or disagree, teens are going to make their own choices. Second catch, when teens fall because of their choices the last thing they want to hear is " I told you so". Be ready to catch them on their fall and get them right back in to the game. Lastly, rejoice with teens. The majority of choices teens make will result in rejoicing. Parents must rejoice when the decision made result in success. Teens, when a Choice is made that may go against your parent's counsel and it works, "I told you so" should never be your response. Encourage your parents to know you made the choice based on the parenting you received and the counsel you received from God. I pray that teens never get to the point where they begin to believe the line in the song that says:
A penny for my thoughts, oh no, I'll sell 'em for a dollar
They're worth so much more after I'm a goner
And maybe then you'll hear the words I been singing
Funny, when you're dead people start listening
Unfortunately many teens get to this point and truly believe this verse. Hope is in Christ and Christ alone.
