Dealin' With Doomsayers

As a Mom I am constantly barraged with questions.  I recall one time laughing at a beautiful plaque inscribed with, "Motherhood is like being pecked to death by chickens."  If your children aren't old enough to be pecking you with questions, don't worry, your time will come!

With older kids, the onslaught of questions was quite evident with the latest dooms day scenario that came and went this past Saturday, May 21st.  Though quite tempting to pass this off as the latest lunacy predicting the end of the world or write it off as general idiocy, our family chose to address it head on.  The inquiries from our 13 and 15 year old made it pretty tough to avoid the topic, anyway, and gave us an opening to discuss difficult subjects that some parents may just brush aside with a flippant "I don't know" or "That's just a bunch of nonsense" remarks.

Doom and gloom topics are in the news all the time, from global warming to the threat of nuclear war or the prediction of yet another judgment day.  We as parents, need to be prepared to answer the questions that our children (and we) might have.  Don't be afraid to be honest about what you know or do not know.  Just be willing to find out what you can about the subject and address their fears and questions, rather than avoiding difficult topics altogether. 

Having attended seminary, Hubby and I enjoyed the discussions this latest doomsday scenario provoked.  It was great to brush up on the various eschatologcial views about the end times and be reminded of what the Bible actually says about such things.  In answering our kids questions, we find it important to go to the source and not just make it up as we go along.  When dealing with philosophical, religious, spiritual, theological (and many other types of) questions our source is the Bible.  We have taught our teens not to take everything we have to say as fact, but always check it against what God has to say.  This goes for teachers, pastors, politicians, news anchors and the latest doomsayers, too!  Does what they say or teach line up with the Word of God?  If it does, then it is trustworthy and if not, where does it go wrong?

The Bible teaches that we will not know when Christ will return again.  2 Peter 2:10 reminds us that the Day of the Lord will come like a thief, not plastered on billboards and vehicles like a political campaign.  In Matthew 25:13 we are reminded to keep watch because we don't know the day or the hour.  To sum up, Christ will return someday, anytime, when we least expect it and we need to be prepared.  How can we prepare ourselves and our children?  We can start with God's Word.  Reading the bible, attending church, asking questions of pastors or Sunday school teachers.  Accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior is the key to being prepared for His return.  With the assurance of salvation, we need not fear the latest doom or gloom.

Taking the time to talk about such things with our children also helps them to come to that point where they, too, may find their hope in Christ.  As Darlin' posted on her Facebook on Friday, May 20th:  "So tomorrow I'll be either in Dorney Park or in Heaven. It'll be a good day!"  Did she believe that the world as about to end? No. Did she have confidence in her salvation if it did? Yes.  What more could I ask for as Christian mother?!