This past week, I read an article promoting “America’s 10 Best Places to Grow Up” (usnews.com; 8-19-09). The criteria used to compile the list included a low crime rate, a strong school system, lots of other children, expansive green spaces, and an abundance of artistic and recreational activities. Using those factors, the authors came up with the following list of cities: Virginia Beach, VA., Madison, AL., San Jose, CA., Overland Park, KS., Boston, MA., Denver, CO., Rochester, MN., Cedar Rapids, IA., Plano, TX., and Edison, NJ..
Frankly, I’m suspicious of any list of good places to grow up that doesn’t include a single place from Nebraska. How could such a list even pretend to be credible? When you enter the state on any major highway, you will see a sign proclaiming Nebraska as “The Good Life.” The state has thousands upon thousands of acres of various agricultural crops. Doesn’t that count as “expansive green spaces?” Are you telling me that Edison, NJ. is a better place to grow up than Edison, NE.? I don’t think so!
May I let you in on a secret? The absolute best place to bring up children is “…in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4). The best thing about this “location” is that it produces the results that God desires regardless of external circumstances. Throughout human history, countless children have grown up in high crime rate areas, attended poor schools, and didn’t have many playmates their age. They didn’t have access to beautiful parks and recreation facilities. Perhaps the only “art” they were exposed to was graffiti. But many of these same children went on to live godly, productive lives because their parents made the choice to raise them according to God’s principles, regardless of their surroundings.
It’s not the physical address where children grow up that determines their destiny. It’s the spiritual address that makes the real difference during their formative years. Whether you live in a gated community or the ghetto, make sure your children come to know and love God.
God loves you!
Mike
2 comments:
Well said! I desire no more legacy than for my children to have known love and to have come to know the greatest love of all - "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life!"
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