Parenting Tip #2

Don't allow your child to "date" or be "boyfriend or girlfriend" to a nonbeliever.

Nip this in the bud, we as Christians know that we should not be dating someone that doesn't share your faith (being unequally yoked). This has been a hard lesson for our youngest son and for us. We wanted him to make his own decision regarding this girl, they are only 13 for crying out loud, but he really liked this young lady and was determined to hold on to her. He invited her to church, she came a couple times, he talked to her about salvation - and he is really bold, he gave her a fire and brimstone message, he prayed for her. He kept at her and she told him she was a christian but her life has not reflected that decision and we knew that she just wasn't the girl for him (not that any is at this age but that is not the point for this particular story). We talked to him on several occasions about what God's word says about this but he was clinging to the hope that she really knew Jesus.

We prayed for our son to come to this realization, we really wanted him to make this decision on his own, wanted him to "get it". We were getting ready to attend a youth camp in Springfield and I was praying that God would speak to our son. The very first night both preachers spoke about this very subject! I was thrilled, thank you Lord! We could tell God was working on our boy's heart, the conviction was definitely there. James talked with him about what God was dealing with him about and he said he felt God was telling him that he needed to end his relationship with *said young lady*. We thought, yes, this is it! Not that she is a bad girl in any way, she is very sweet and likable. Well, unfortunately, Cameron did not follow through with what God had asked of him and their "relationship" continued.

After we got home from camp, we sat down with Cameron and talked about the week and what God had shown him about his relationship. Cameron said he wanted to give every area of his life to Christ and really do what God wanted him to do. There were tears shed, not telling who, ha and Cameron broke up with *said girl*. This was very difficult for him and we really recognized how hard this was for him.

To be continued...