One Pastor's Perspective

Fox News.com: Earth’s Interior a Lot Like Chunky Peanut Butter

I was talking to a law enforcement friend who told me that one of the greatest obstacles they face in the teen drinking / drug / party scene is that there are parents who are (now get this) WILLING TO DO ANYTHING FOR THEIR KIDS TO BE POPULAR. WHAT???? That there are parents, upstanding members of our community, that are willing to do anything and put up with a lot so their kids will be popular. (And, by do anything my friend meant willing to buy alcohol, look the other way on drugs and parties, not to mention physical relationships. Makes my breakfast almost come up a little just writing it.)

WOW . . . I would be suprised, but I have seen it. In fact, when I was a youth pastor, I had parents who were point-blank about what they were willing to do and why. I think sometimes people try to live vicariously through their children . . . We see it on the sports field, and I guess it would naturally be on the social scene, too!

And, honestly, there was a day when I hoped my kids would be popular. I remember what high school was like, and was very concerned. And the years have opened my eyes to what the “popular” kids now do (and must do to REMAIN popular) and who they REALLY are. And suddenly, being the stick in the mud dad doesn’t seem so bad if it helps my kids make it out of middle and high school IN ONE PIECE!!!

Our children need us to be parents MORE than they need us to be “buddies” right now. This world seeks to shred them before their lives even begin. Don’t buy into the propaganda . . . The price for popularity is a high one. Too high for a follower of Christ.

Blake Comer grew up (pretty much) here at Ebenezer. His mom and dad are Mary Jane and Gordon. He is now the student pastor at a church in Greer, SC, with one of my buddies from seminary, Cliff Marshall (or, as Krissy used to call him, “Clip.”)

If you remember him, check his blog out at http://blakecomer.wordpress.com

Yep, it is over . . . For this year, anyway. Tonight the Colleton County girls beat the WF Lady Knights 1-0. It is over . . . But I am so proud of those girls AND of Denise Carter, their coach. We faced quite a bit of adversity in the early part of the season, and in the second half (I like to call it the post-apocalytic era because I was told our season was over and we would not win another game).

By the way, they were wrong . . . We were 8-5 after that point, largely because of the leadership of some girls that stepped up when the team needed it most. One of those girls is mine, and I am EXTREMELY proud of her. Proud of them all.

And, looking forward to NEXT SEASON.

Yes, the last week has been consumed with state-playoff softball trips. I have spent a fortune on gas and HOURS on I-95 in the last week. And, we are still alive!

We shocked the higher-seeded Goose Creek team last Thursday, went to Walterboro on Saturday to lose a close one to Colleton County. That sent us BACK to Goose Creek on Monday (and it rained us out, so we went last night) to shut them out AGAIN. And tonight, BACK to Colleton County. And we have to win a double-header. And, our girls CAN do it!!

Of course, I will not be able to go tonight. But that is where my heart will be!!!

Since I have your ear (okay, technically your EYE), I have a social responsibility to address another problem that is reaching epidemic proportion in the world in 2008. Yes, that is right . . . MEXICAN CAT JUGGLING.

My mentor tried to address this problema in a movie 30 some odd years ago, but the problem persists. WHY DOESN’T OUR GOVERNMENT GET INVOVLED??? If my neighbor was doing it I would call animal control. Mexico is our neighbor . . . Who do we call??

If you don’t know what I am writing about, go and rent “The Jerk” by Steve Martin, one of the favorites of EVERY GUY who loves stupid movies. But, be warned . . . Mexican Cat Juggling is a dangerous and contagious sport.

Were I told how difficult and painful it can be to be a parent, would I have done it?? YEP. I love my children, and the positives far outweigh the negatives. I heard a statistic the other day that a child born today will cost his/her parents $1.5 million to raise. Are they worth it??

In spite of all of the sickness, broken bones, times of rebellion, failure, and tears you will wipe because “friends” are not what they seemed to be, it is worth it. Because, with those times come laughter, joy, pride, achievement, and many times when YOU can make a difference in their life like no one else.

My children are not perfect . . . But they are mine. It is kind of funny how I see them making some of the same mistakes I made, and then I hear the same words coming out of my mouth that my mom and dad shared with me. You know, back when I thought they knew nothing. (That just reminds me that one day my children will have this same “AHA!” moments!!)

Are they worth it?? My answer is YES. What is yours???