Unison Parenting Blog: Be a Light

I took it to heart when the woman criticized me for not homeschooling our children and for exposing them to the impurities of public schooling. Feeling guilty and wounded, I went to the bedroom of my oldest son, a senior in high school.

I asked him, "When we sent you off to middle school and to high school, what did you hear from us about dealing with the negative influences you would encounter?"

He replied, "You told me to be a light, to influence others positively, and to avoid being negatively influenced by others."

That's it. That's what we said, and that's what he heard. I still believe this guidance is essential as we send our kids out into an impure world.

In Matthew 5:14-16, Jesus tells his followers that they are the light of the world. They shouldn't hide, but instead, they should let their lights shine.

I don't believe Jesus wants us to hide our kids. I believe we are supposed to train them to be a light, then allow them to go and share light with others.

My mother was defiant when someone criticized her for bearing four children into an overpopulated world. She fired back, "My kids are going to be the ones that fix the problems!"

I know I can't fix every problem, but I can be light in my corner of the world. So can our children. We do this by teaching them the Gospel, exposing them regularly to Christian friends and learning, and encouraging a strong sense of identity in self and as a child of God.

Of course, they'll make mistakes and wrong decisions. They'll have to weather negative influences, some of which will appeal to them. But they'll also make a difference as they bring the light of Christ into dark situations.