Trust but Verify

Most mornings, I read the headlines in our local paper. Today and yesterday, our front pages highlight the injuries and deaths of 6 local high school students. 6 boys, all athletes either hurt or killed in shootings within a year's time. Shootings! What is going on here? Who's to blame? I look at a mother's picture on the front page. She is understandably distraught, her daughter consoling her. Her son was shot at 1am. He had been at a party. 1am?
I'm not so naive to think that my children are above any risks, but there had to be signs in these families! Yes, they'll let us down, they'll make mistakes. We all did! We all pray that our children will become happy, successful adults, but even despite our best efforts sometimes this does not happen. My parents were too permissive with me and I know from experience what kind of trouble can find you when you're a teenager.

I'm a strict parent and my kids still love me! Monitor you kids! Know their friends. Know where they are going. What could your teen possibly be doing past 11pm? Don't just set a curfew and let them loose. They need good, chaperoned activities available to them! Thanks to some wonderfully supportive parents, my church offers tons of teen gatherings. They still have opportunities to find their independence. Sure, we have disagreements. They have friends with less strict parents. We have discussions about these other lifestyles and I support my decisions with logical insight and God's plan. Sometimes I do give in to their pleas. I pray about it and then refer to the well known motto : Trust but Verify.
My oldest and I recently discussed what would be expected of him once he graduates. He plans to attend college, but likely will be living at home. He now knows that there will still be rules, curfews and expectations. It was easy to explain. I referred to Joshua 24:15. (It's my house and) as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord!

P.S. My heart goes out to the families of these young men and all other parents that have lost a child. I can't imagine the pain. I pray that God's loving arms bring you strength.