Family Faith:

A sense of entitlement — it seems to grow more rampant with each generation. When I think about my maternal grandfather and how he raised my mother and uncle, I witnessed respect. They obeyed him and were grateful for everything — and anything — they received.

I asked my mom once why she never gave her parents trouble. She said she just knew they were the boss and never had reason to disobey. Today, I see a generation that sometimes expects more, complains more, talks back to their parents more and has a tendency to be egocentric.

Why are children today more focused on themselves than previous generations? It may be the fact that parents are busier, we work more, spend extra money on them and have less occasion to devote quality time. Thus, we supplement children in the quantity department to make up for it. How can we counteract the negative aspects of this culture and train our children to look at the needs of others before themselves? Simply by taking the time to do so.

Raising children who are self-disciplined, educated and love God and fellow human beings is one of the greatest responsibilities we have as parents. And it is not limited to parents. This challenge extends to aunts, uncles, grandparents, teachers, coaches, pastors and friends of the family. It is our responsibility to make the world a better place. This generation will raise the next; they are our hope. If we do not guide them well, what will become of the future?

Psalm 127:3-5 blesses us with the following words: “Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from Him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them.”

Children are a reward whether they are ours biologically or not. They require guidance, whether we are the parents or authority figures in some other arena. But they will be taught nothing without challenge, discipline and relationship. They need correction.

They also necessitate life lessons to show them the importance of focusing on others. This can be done by pointing out another person’s perspective, by doing acts of charity such as feeding the poor, and by bringing correction when they have treated someone unfairly or been selfish.

Underlying all of these issues is the fact that this will be accomplished only by hard work on the part of adults. This is not always pleasant, but it is vital. How children of this generation turn out as adults paves the way for the future work of the Kingdom of God.

As humans, we need to be there for others. We are God’s hands extended.

 The Rev. KIMBERLIE ZAKARIAN’s column runs every Saturday. Reach her by e-mail at holyhouse9@gmail.com or by mail at Holy House Ministries c/o the Rev. Kimberlie Zakarian, 9641 Tujunga Canyon Blvd., Tujunga, CA 91042.