Broken Promises
"My parents would make promises, then forget us when something at the church needed done."
Yep. You're right.
It happens, and it happens too often.
But to be fair, it happens in all areas of adult life, it happens to their kids, and to their spouses,
To you I say:
An adult-child isn't completely matured until they have wrestled with their parents having:
* a sin-nature
* a selfish side
* a self-serving side, willing to take from others to benefit themselves (that's what sin is)
But please don't blame God for that, because James speaks plainly about it.
And your parents were better parents with God - than they would have been without God.
And many churches are now careful to monitor the involvement of their best volunteers,
Yep. You're right.
It happens, and it happens too often.
But to be fair, it happens in all areas of adult life, it happens to their kids, and to their spouses,
to their employers, and to their friends too.
Even so, appointments are a type of promise, and no one likes to have promises broken.
Parents need to be careful how they word their commitments.
James 4 says:
13 Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.”
Even so, appointments are a type of promise, and no one likes to have promises broken.
Parents need to be careful how they word their commitments.
James 4 says:
13 Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.”
14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life?
You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.
15 Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”
16 As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil.
17 If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.
Too often people set appointments, sure that they can keep them,
then make excuses when other things arise.
Parents should listen to James and should teach their children that all plans are subject the vagaries of circumstances beyond our control.
For example, how many birthday parties did the LA fires cancel?
"But my parents always seemed to favor the church when making or keeping promises."
This is often true. Sadly, parents can be emotionally-needy too,
and volunteering is a way to get a quick fix of self-esteem from a church leader who appreciates people that help with the church. Parents shouldn't break pre-made plans with their child to grab a little self-esteem from the church.
You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.
15 Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”
16 As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil.
17 If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.
Too often people set appointments, sure that they can keep them,
then make excuses when other things arise.
Parents should listen to James and should teach their children that all plans are subject the vagaries of circumstances beyond our control.
For example, how many birthday parties did the LA fires cancel?
"But my parents always seemed to favor the church when making or keeping promises."
This is often true. Sadly, parents can be emotionally-needy too,
and volunteering is a way to get a quick fix of self-esteem from a church leader who appreciates people that help with the church. Parents shouldn't break pre-made plans with their child to grab a little self-esteem from the church.
To you I say:
An adult-child isn't completely matured until they have wrestled with their parents having:
* a sin-nature
* a selfish side
* a self-serving side, willing to take from others to benefit themselves (that's what sin is)
But please don't blame God for that, because James speaks plainly about it.
And your parents were better parents with God - than they would have been without God.
And many churches are now careful to monitor the involvement of their best volunteers,
so they don't get their family life out of balance.
Another real truth is, certain adults will be severely committed to social causes they truly believe in,
to help make the world a better world for their children to live in.
And true Christianity is the greatest social improvement agency in existence.
But balance is important.
Another real truth is, certain adults will be severely committed to social causes they truly believe in,
to help make the world a better world for their children to live in.
And true Christianity is the greatest social improvement agency in existence.
But balance is important.