By Timothy M. Schroeder

“…men of Issachar, who understood the times and knew what Israel should do.”  I Chronicles 12:32 (NIV)

It was such a strikingly, beautiful home. From a distance it looked like everything was perfect. The house was arrayed in gray flagstone and accented with pristine, white-framed windows. The roof sparkled as its dark, charcoal shingles glittered in the sunlight.  The yard was elevated and inviting for children to run till they could run no more. A smooth course of sparkling white gravel accented the side drive. At the beginning of the front walk was planted a “For Sale” sign from a local bank.

I couldn’t park fast enough…“Lord, I think this it!“ But as I quickly walked to the front porch, things began to  change dramatically. The light fixtures in the entrance way had been ripped off exposing bare wires. Cupping my hands, I looked through several windows. The interior appeared like it had been ransacked. The odor of rotting food emanated through the small openings around the door.  I then walked around to the back.  Off the dining area a pair of French doors looked like a victim of an quick demolition. There were no steps or deck. Whoever had lived here had left under duress.

Well, my family and I bought that home and immediately began the task to bring it back to life. Neighbors told us, “You live in the Ogden house. It sure is sad how they left. They had everything any family could want…the cars, motorcycles, even boats. You know, the divorce splintered that family in every direction.“ In the weeks following, I finally tackled the attic. So far nothing would give you a hint of what the Odgens were all about. Oddly, I found one solitary box sitting in the dark of attic. As I moved it and brushed the dust away, it felt like a single book might be inside. I cut the tape on the flaps…and pulled out a heavy, large book. Quickly exiting the attic for the need of the light in the hallway, I realized at once…It was the Ogden family Bible. Not one thing had been left behind, but the Ogden family Bible!

 In our time we, seniors and older Boomers, have witnessed the greatest decay of the American home in our history. It is not the unmatched, astronomical, amount of foreclosures that are so devastating to our fiber; rather, it is the unmatched disintegration of the family unit in its values, its stability, its perseverance, and its love that blights our land. Our children are facing national and personal debt never dreamed about a generation ago; yet, the debt of riotous living and dysfunctional parenting is painting everything about us in eroding, ferrous colors. 

 Understanding the times…

To begin to know what to do, there must be a keen awareness of times. Our children are facing unparalleled conflicts unlike any previous generation.  From their first breaths our offspring now face the stark realities of the following, and more…

*  already having drugs in their systems

*  being born to one parent (or even a no parent) environments

*  childhood multiple “parents” and a mixture of half/siblings and/or step siblings

*  influenced and educated by an amoral society and/or parents/guardians

*  influenced to question their birth genders

*  challenged as to sexual preference and experimentation with sex before puberty

*  witnessing the use of alcohol and drugs as acceptable recreation/diversions

*  hearing language all about them inundated with vulgar and carnal words

*  living in an immediate environment where safety is always questionable

*  living in a constantly, increasingly dangerous world

While this confusion is all about us, God has purposed for our numbers (the Boomers and seniors) to be unequalled by any segment of society before us. Is it by happenstance that He has us positioned for the next two decades to outnumber all other age groups combined? And, now He is calling us to arms!  It not the time for inaction, spiritual retirement, shrinking back, or excuses. We, then, are on a mission! He is calling us and with His calling comes His enabling.

The greatest opportunity to touch, influence, and lead the younger people of our world is right before our fingertips. While our churches launch new methods, venues, and efforts to reach children, teens, and young people; Boomers and Seniors are by godly design equipped to touch the hearts of those who are  younger. For such a time as this, God has purposed that the eldest generation shall example and lead the way for the younger to the glory of God.  David penned it powerfully…(NIV Psalms 71:18) “Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come.”

What must we do? 

We must accept the challenge and be trained and deployed to engage with our young! Foundations of faith, the home, and of grace must be reinforced! Our homes must be put in order for credibility before our children! It can be done! We must position ourselves anew to ENABLE our young to champion Christ!

 Take a few minutes to look over what might be a new perspective of a familiar parable of Christ, the story of the Prodigal son. Read Luke 15:11-24 in your favorite Bible. Consider as you read that parents enable their children to good or to evil. The Bible is chock-full of tremendous stories, examples, and teachings on touching the lives of those coming after us.

Notice 7 things about the father and his house. 

1.  The youngest of two sons desired his inheritance, and the father divided his living among both of his sons (v.12). He enabled them both to make choices.

2.  The youngest son had contemplated leaving to make a name for himself; yet, he did not leave immediately. The entire house was aware of the moment. The father would express the freedom of choice, the consequence of poor choices, and the openness of the house without compromise of the boundaries of the home (v.13). The father enabled the sons for choices in the immediate and in the future.

3.  Riotous living always leads to famine. The son had spent all about him and now had spent all that was in him (v.14-16).

4.  “He came to himself” (v.16)…he awakened to the value of a father with uncompromising rules and boundaries; yet, a home doused in grace, love, and strength. The son knew His father’s love and house would enable his recovery.

5.  The son repented unto heaven and then to his father. He was not just a son returning for another fix or in search of a father who would soothe unrepentive wounds. No, he was not coming for repetitious prayers, religiousness, or sympathy…he was coming home to submit. There is a lot of pig slop between “Father, give me” and “Father, make me” (v.19). Boundaries and grace enabled the rebirth.

6.  The father had been minding the road for sometime. I have a hunch he had servants checking on the wayward son but these servants would have been  told not to rescue the son until repentance had full sway. God’s grace and strength enabled the father!

7.  “My son who was dead is alive again” (v.24, 32)  The father had never disowned the son; but, the unrepentive actions of the son had severed the son to a state of death. The father’s grace, love, and boundaries enabled the son to find a rebirth.  (see Jer. 3:14)

What your children and lineage may do or partake in outside of your home as adults is really beyond your dominion; however, what they do in your home is where you carry the brunt of responsibility for enabling. As long as you draw breath, you carry enabling powers for those after you.  You never stop parenting till the Father calls you home, and parenting is enabling.

Our Heavenly Father will enable us!  Everywhere you look, people (often Christians) lament, the choices of their offspring…while their own homes pivot to accommodate the choices of the wayward young. Should we not example our heavenly Father’s house? Adam chose everything he thought was coming to him but he could not return to relationship with God till he repented and sought the boundaries anew and the grace beyond comprehension! No one sneaks into the house of God. His house has only a front door and He always stands in it!

The enemy will say, “It is too late to rebuild the house you have modeled before your lineage.” That is a lie! It is God that will enable. God is most desirous of enabling each of us….to help children, even our children, to find the road home! Dare to sit down with your young, admit failures, ask forgiveness from them, and then vow to them you will establish the Lord in your house. A house with boundaries and with extravagant grace…now that is HOME!  Watch as your children rise up and call you blessed!

It is a great time to be alive! Refuse to go silently into the night!

 

Timothy M. Schroeder, and his wife Vonda Kay, are current candidates for US Missionaries in the Assemblies of God.  They are home based in Madison (Nashville), TN, where they are active in Cornerstone Church, Madison, TN.  Having pastored over thirty years, served as clergy couple to AGME (Marriage Encounter ministry), held District leadership posts, gave chaplaincy ministry from juvenile delinquent centers to maximum security prisons in five states, participated in leadership ministry in Cleansing Stream Ministries, and authored five books…Tim and Vonda are available to speak at your church, gathering, convention, or whatever.  They will work with your church to establish an innovative Boomer/senior adult ministry tailored to unite all age groups.  Their ministry, Finishingforceministries, was founded for the purpose of “Uniting His Church Through Baby Boomers.”  Tim is currently compiling a new 52 lesson study for Boomers and beyond on affecting the generations following through Biblical examples and truths.