After I got my Kawasaki KLX 250 (& my license), the first thing that my kids wanted to do was to take a ride on it. The first picture is my son Joshua. He went with me to the dealership as I was checking out the various motorcycles and he was very excited about a few different ones. His first choice was an 1100 CC Honda cruiser with a red flame on the tank, which I have to admit was pretty cool. However, I quickly pointed out that this was probably out of my price range for the time being. Plus, it would be a lot harder to explain to his mom that I wanted to save gas mileage when the bike wouldn't get that great of mpg! When I showed him some other possible bikes that I was considering, I thought that he might think the semi-racing style Suzuki bike was the coolest looking choice. However, he surprised me that he liked the Kawasaki bike even more. As we were doing all the paperwork on the day that we financed the bike, I let Joshua pick out a helmet that would fit him.
Not to be outdone, my daughter went with me on one of my look & see trips to the local dealership. She was pretty excited about the thought that I might get a motorcycle. Considering that my daughter likes what most 8 year old girls like (barbie dolls, Hello Kitty & stuffed animals), she was just as fired up as my oldest son Josh.
When I brought the motorcycle home, the kids were jumping up and down about having the two-wheeled green monster in our family. (not so sure that my wife was as excited about it) I got a chance to take the kids on a ride down the block a few times after I got my license. They both were equally excited about riding around on it. My daughter even wanted to get out the motorcyle when her cousins came to visit so that she could show them her "riding ability with dad". Jonathan was watching Josh and Jenna riding on the motorcycle with dad (when I took these pictures) & getting very envious. So, I sat in the driveway with the bike in neutral & Jonathan in my lap. I revved up the motor a little bit and he felt like he got in on the experience.
As fun as it has been to see the kids get excited about the motorcycle, it is much more satisfying for me to see the kids get excited about spiritual things. My goal as a parent is to see the fire of my kid's heart get fanned into big flames for the Lord Jesus Christ. I think about the end picture of what my kids will look like as adults & I don't picture them as being a professional motorcycle racer but a strong Christian in an increasingly hostile culture. When I think about my kids getting excited for spiritual things, I think about Colossians 2:6-7:
"Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude."
I would challenge all of us, who are Christian parents (grandparents) to develop a home that gets excited when the deeper truths are discussed about God. Make it your goal to foster an environment in your home where the Bible isn't simply used in a discussion about how to be a moral person. Instead, create something that your kids will be able to reflect upon later in life as an intimate discussion about Jesus Christ. Can you marvel alongside with your kids about the awesomeness of God? Can you take a passage of Scripture and discuss with your children what difference it brings to life in a harsh, sinful world? Get the kids excited about Jesus Christ!!!
2 comments:
As our kids get older and get out in the world it becomes increasingly difficult to get them excited about the things of Christ. We try to provide the example by our prayer and behavior. We've seen glimpses of fruit in some but not in others. We continue to mention the gospel whenever they are around, and we are faithful to pray for them.
The bike looks nice by the way. I am getting excited about going shopping for our bike.
Barry,
Thanks for sharing your perspective as a parent with adult children. I know that we as parents we have a small time frame to influence our children. Unfortunately, our kids must develop that themselves. However, I am still convinced that you still have an influence over your kids when they are adults. The reason that I say this comes from my observation of parents that are believers (with adult children). It may not be the same as the formative years but it still matters.
Let me know about your bike shopping.
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