Originally published in the May 22, 2008 issue of The Evangel.
by Newcombe Hollis, FBC member
It's a dangerous world out there, and complicated too. Don't talk to strangers? Which ones?! Strangers are walking the streets and surfing the web. And here's some sobering news: most children know more about the Internet than their parents.
Today's parents have their hands full keeping their children safe. But there's hope, because "with God, all things are possible." So how can we do it? I don't have all the answers. I don't even know all the questions! But here are some practical steps that parents, grandparents or caretakers can take to protect the children that we love so dearly...
1. Pray for your children's protection. Do it every day. And don't think for a second that it can't make a difference. This side of Heaven, we may never know the trouble that prayer has helped our children avoid or at least endure. Don't have kids? Pray for the children at your church.
2. Talk to your children. Know where they're going. Know who they're with. Parents are at their best when they are involved, and their children are safer because of it.
3. Lean on your church. It's a wonderful harbor for children during the exciting and sometimes dangerous days of youth. My best friendships blossomed at church--it's the kind of place to make the kind of friends that keep you out of trouble at ANY age.
4. Embrace technology. Your children already have. You've seen their classrooms, but what about their chat rooms? Learn about Internet. Learn about iPods. Email is old news...learn about texting! Then establish guidelines. In the process, you might grow closer to your children--and have some fun along the way.
5. Know Your Neighbors. Neighborhoods, even "good" ones, aren't as safe as they used to be. Get to know your neighbors, and develop a network of eyes and ears to help keep your community and your children safer.
If we commit our children to God's protective care and get involved in their lives, we can help them stay safe in a dangerous world!
