Family Matters

Hey there Camp Families!  Mark Kaufmann here.

The question I want us to answer this week, “What is the benefit of parents sharing with their kids how they blew it while growing up?”

Prov. 11:2 tells us, “When pride comes, then comes dishonor; but with the humble there is wisdom.”

I would imagine many of you feel a similar desire as I do to be a PERFECT example to your kids – but right off the bat, this verse warns us that pride does not actually bring honor like we think it would.

On the contrary, humility provides an opportunity for wisdom to be shown.  Consequently, I think the most motivating reason for parents is that by sharing about our own mistakes, we will provide an avenue to pass on practical advice on how to avoid danger and destruction or how to deal with the aftermath of those decisions.

Secondly, our own vulnerability will likely foster increased trust and communication which we so long for as our kids move into their teen years.

Most importantly though, admitting our own stupid choices and sin gives us the platform to speak about our need for a Savior.  God’s word tells us, “It is by grace that you’ve been saved through faith and that not of yourselves, it is a gift from God”.  We don’t obtain heaven by personal perfection, rather instead by a Savior (Jesus) who in our place has paid the price.

Let me leave you with a couple questions to reflect on…

• What type of people do you learn from and feel more connected to: prideful or humble?
• Who would you rather your kids learn from: you or others?

Lastly, I’d challenge us to not limit it to admitting only long-gone past pitfalls – but to more importantly acknowledge today’s errors that might be even more relevant and impactful.

Camper Corner:

Ask your parents what they learned from a mistake growing up or recently and if/how humility was a part of the resolution.