who has your teens heart?

"Our mouth has spoken freely to you, O Corinthians, our heart is opened wide. You are not restrained by us, but you are restrained in your own affections. Now in a like exchange-- I speak as to children-- open wide to us also."
-- 2 Corinthians 6:11-13

Have you ever asked yourself the question, "Do I really have the heart of my daughter? Do I really have the heart of my son?"

I like the clarity of this Proverb, where the father simply asks, "Give me your heart." But what if we don't have their heart? Is there anything we can say or do, to warm up a relationship that for all outward appearances, might be drifting away?

I think so. The key is revealed in Paul's example, shown towards those believers in Corinth. Before Paul asks for their heart-he reminds them that he has already given his heart away. And they knew it.

The following is a good example of a young man who appreciates his dad. His father, a deacon in our church and a good man, has caught his son's heart. Notice how Dad first did it;

"As long as I can remember, my dad played basketball and encouraged me as well. My first toy was a little basketball that squeaked, and I received my first hoop for my third Christmas. Even at that age, my dad never just let me win. In fact, I was never able to beat him until high school. Because of this, I will never forget the moment I won. It was on a running jump shot down the left side; it wasn't pretty, but it went in.

My dad has also greatly encouraged my interest in computers. When I was little, we would literally spend hours playing computer games together. Later he taught me how to install software, which let me serve my school. When I was in eighth grade, he started his own computer business, where I have worked alongside him, ever since."

But this Dad didn't stop with the basketball and computers. He took another critical step and got involved in the spiritual instruction of his son. 

Part 2.

"In place of your fathers will be your sons; You shall make them princes in all the earth." -- Psalms 45:16

Yesterday I let a young man, in his own words, share how much he appreciates his Dad. Dad did a few things to capture the boy's heart. Today I want to let him share probably the most critical thing this Dad did. What was it? He got involved in the spiritual instruction of his son. He didn't delegate this. He rolled up his sleeves and jumped right in.

But I will let the boy write in his own words just what dear old Dad did.

"When I was a freshman, my dad helped start a teen Bible study for my friends. It began with only five people, but now as many as thirty come on a weekly basis. The Bible study has gotten me more involved in church and helped me develop many lasting friendships. My dad has always been a great role model for me; but now that I am one of the oldest in the group, I have the opportunity to lead and be a role model for the younger kids. I know my life would be different if my dad had not started the Bible study.

Writing this essay, I was, for the first time, disappointed with a length restriction. Five hundred words are not nearly enough to describe the impact my dad has made on my life. But until this essay, I had never really thought much about it. I have the same interests, looks, voice, personality, and even the same sense of humor as my dad. Some might say I'm "a chip off the old block," but that's fine with me.

Mark Twain once declared, "It is a wise child that knows its own father, and an unusual one that unreservedly approves of him." What kind of teenager considers an expression like "Chip off the old block" a compliment? I do. Because of my great admiration for my dad, he has had, and still does have, an incredible influence on almost every facet of my life."  Sincerely, Jonathan Martin

And I guess that's all I have to say about that.