Let's talk about the crazy world into which we are launching our sons and daughters.  How do we approach crossroads of faith, parenting and culture?

Julie Jones of GEM Ministry for Moms and Golden Goose Consulting has a message for us which was put on her heart during recent quiet time.    Julie's obedience in delivering timely and compelling encouragement from scripture will benefit us moms.  We face new horizons with our kids. Daunting crossroads of faith and culture come as we parent our kids toward independence, speak into their friendships and relationships, assist in their beginnings or endings of high school, release them to college or watch them step into the workforce.  Crossroads can be navigated with peace of mind.

GEMs of Wisdom from "Crossroads of Culture:  Engaged or Engulfed" by Julie Jones

Whenever us parents stand stunned at the crossroads of culture, faith and parenting, we can take instruction from the Lord: 

"Stop at the crossroads and look around.  Ask for the old Godly way and walk in it.  Travel its path and you will find rest for your soul."  Jeremiah 6:16

In the prior chapter, Jeremiah 5: 20-31, describes an advanced but morally corrupt Babylonian society; a landscape very similar to modern culture:  "...have you no respect for me?…But my people have stubborn and rebellious hearts.  They have turned away and abandoned me...Your wickedness has deprived you of these wonderful blessings.  Your sin has robbed you.. Among my people are wicked men…"

Sound familiar?  Yet, in this midst and reading past the crossroads of culture, Jeremiah 29:5 instructs Israel: "Build houses and make yourselves at home.  Put in gardens and eat what grows in that country.  Marry and have children.  Encourage your children to marry and have children so that you'll thrive in that country and not waste away.  Make yourselves at home there and work for the country's welfare.  Pray for Babylon's well being.  If things go well for Babylon, things go well for you."

Make yourselves at home and work for the country's welfare.

Moms, we can circle the wagons and stay in our holy huddle or we can enter in, with a loving steadfastness, to be invested in society.  Retain our identity in Christ against cultural indoctrination.  Strive for contact without contamination.  Take part in the potluck, but don't jump into the melting pot.

What crossroad of culture does God have you or your son or daughter?

From our discussion, we gleaned:  It's a case-by-case basis of discernment toward each son or daughter to understand their reverence for the Lord.  Their level of reverence will either protect them among peer groups or make them vulnerable to peer groups.  But the goal of launching our kids is that they too may be able to move forward at the crossroads with Stop-Look-Ask-Walk-and Rest.