Amazing how reading scripture brings back memories of days gone by with children.  The passage I read this morning brought back a time when our daughter, Kimberly, was invited to one of her high school proms.  Not only did kids attend a dance, but afterwards they wanted to go for an "overnight" event at one of their homes.  Yep, boys and girls together....all night.  Since I would never be asked to host a party of this magnitude, the kids had found a parental home site and were making their plans to continue prom night throughout the night.

Now comes the permission from each parent.  Kimberly was making sure I understood that there would be parental supervision and that "all" her friends were going to be in attendance.  Right.  And I'm supposed to go with the flow and quickly say, "okay, honey...go to a high school prom and then spend the night in the presence of hormonal males with parents probably fast asleep in their beds upstairs."

My answer was not a popular one and an answer my daughter did not want to hear.  So I got the typical answer, "but, Mom, EVERYONE is going and ALL the other parents are okay with this."  So, I did what I thought best....I answered as honestly as I could.  "Kimberly," I said, "you did come with an instruction book.  I'm doing the best job of parenting I can.  I just can't say 'yes' to this request.  Remember, one of these days I'm going to have to stand before God and give an account of how I raised you.  No one has to stand in those shoes but me.  So, until you have to stand in my shoes, the answer is no."

She wasn't happy, but I think she understood.  Transferring the answer onto God wasn't a one time occurrence in our house and she knew that.  Kimberly understood that living a life pleasing to God was a standard I tried earnestly to uphold.  So, as I read in scripture this morning from II Corinthians 5, verse 10, I was once again reassured that my answer years ago was the right one.  "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad."

If you are a parent of children still living at home, never be ashamed to answer those unpopular questions with replies that honor God and ones you personally feel are harmful in the long run to your children.  You are the biggest advocate of your children....Satan waits at the door like a roaring lion to pounce on a partially opened door.  Don't give him a foothold.  God will be honored with your trust in Him and His Word.  God bless, my friends.