Balloons

Dr. James Dobson writes: "I attended a wedding in a beautiful garden setting in which 150 colourful helium balloons were released into the California sky. Within seconds they were scattered across the heavens - some rising hundreds of feet, others cruising toward the horizon. They all began from the same launching pad, were filled with the same helium, and ascended into the same conditions. Yet within minutes they were separated by a mile or more. A few balloons struggled to clear the upper branches of trees, while the show-offs became mere pinpoints of colour on their journey to the sky. How interesting, I thought - and how symbolic of children."

Parent, you help determine how high your child will rise. So: (a) Create the right climate in your home. The words you speak, the order you establish, the music and television programmes you allow, are moulding their character and their future. If you're too busy to notice these things - you're too busy! (b) Give them the right mentors. Ruth followed Naomi. Timothy followed Paul. Your children are going to follow someone. The question is, who? Your best defences against destructive influences are offensive teaching and a Christ-like example. Read God's Word to them each day. Pray over them - and with them. Do it! Don't be shy. The molester and drug dealer are not shy. Speak up! You can't improve on the words of Pharaoh's daughter, given to Moses' mother as she saved her son from the waters of the Nile that would have consumed him. "Take this child home and nurse him for me… I will pay you for your help."

Parent, you have no greater responsibility! And if you do it right, you'll have no greater reward