"Customized Parenting"

   

Cars have custom designs from the front bumper to the muffler.  Cell phones can have their own skin, ringtones and display.  Computers are arranged just the way you like them.  Blogs, MySpace accounts and Facebook pages are all customized.

  

Coffee is the same way!  I remember when the only choice to make when ordering was whether to add sugar or cream; but that’s not how it goes today. Now the jingle goes something like this: “I’ll take a grande, low-fat, iced carmel macchiato with extra carmel drizzle.” 

    

Lives can also be customized!  Can you mold a life for the glory of God?  As adolescent birthdays move through the critical years of Jr. High to High school and on into the adult world, our kids have a great opportunity to customize their lives, to make it their own.

    

Parents play such a significant role in helping customize their child’s life.  Whether your child is 10 or 20 years old, consider these steps as a mom or dad: 

    

1. Invite your child on a “date.”  Let them set up the time and place.  Go and eat there.
2. Ask your teenager what he or she loves to do and why?  Ask more probing questions drawing out what you see God doing in your child’s life.
3. Speak words of blessing into your child’s life. Affirm the gifts, abilities, talents and dreams God has put in their heart. Avoid critical or pessimistic comments, just listen and bless.
4. End your time by praying with and for your child and give them a big hug.
5. Go back to #1 over and over. 

   

  Parents, you play a huge role in custom shaping the life of your child by your words and actions.  Take it seriously.  Pray deeply.  Live intentionally.  Watch God blow your expectations away in the life of your adolescent.

                                                       

     

Jeff Baxter is the Pastor of Singles and Student Ministries at Foothill Bible Church in Littleton, Colorado.

   

Jeff has recently written a new book for students, pastors and parents called, Following Jesus into College and Beyond (Zondervan). In the introduction Jeff shares how everything is “customized” these days and encourages parents to participate in the customizing of their adolescents life. 

   

You can get his book at …

http://www.amazon.com/Following-Jesus-College-Beyond-Invert/dp/0310282632/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1237230656&sr=8-1 

   

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