Acceptance. We long for it, don’t we? If a young man or woman doesn’t sense, or hopefully know, they’ve been accepted by their parents, and most importantly, their father, the cloud of parental expectation will hang over their head. Children who don’t experience their parents’ acceptance have a terribly difficult time with self-acceptance.
Sons and daughters listen for their father’s words: “You’re good at that“, “You’re a wonderful son or daughter”, “I’m proud of you“; “I love who you are“, “I have confidence in your abilities“. If children don’t hear these types of messages, they will eventually grow up and leave home without closure, without confidence they are ready and capable to handle life.
Furthermore, their mind’s logic will say, “There must be something I haven’t done right, so I’ll keep trying“, “I’ll work at proving I can get it right“, “I’ll keep at it until I hear that I’m okay“. Never feeling quite sure if they are accepted for who they are and striving to gain that acceptance.
That’s how the majority of young men and women in our culture leave home. And it’s tragic when you consider how this repeats itself from generation to generation. Only men or women who hear from their parents that they are accepted are free to pass this gift on to their own sons and daughters. You simply can’t give what you don’t have.
Make the choice today to speak life into your son or daughter’s life. The Bible is a great place to find those messages – “For we are God’s Masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” Ephesians 2:10 NLT
If you haven’t received this gift, there’s still hope for you in Christ! You have a heavenly Father who accepts you, who truly delights in you. Seek Him. Hear His promises to you in Scripture. “I have loved you, my people, with and everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself.” Jeremiah 31:3 NLT Let Him re-parent you.
By Steve Arterburn
