Rites of Passage

There was a time when parents had the honor of blessing their children. This blessing came as the parents saw that the child was "coming of age", or fully able to handle what was been passed on to them.

Our world no longer embraces this idea of rite of passage with a parents blessing.

No now we have a world where most kids believe, "I deserve it." Our children no longer want that special moment with mom and dad... instead they just want the stuff that was once seen as a blessing.

Cars are now seen as a given in a kids life.... not a gift or sign of coming of age.
Cellphones are standard issue to every child.... not a tool that can be afforded and used properly at the right times.
Getting a savings account or check book are no longer seen as great teaching moments, something that need wisdom and guidance... they are seen as absolutes in a kids life.

So many special rites of passage, long term memory moments have been taken, removed or erased from the family of today. It used to be extra special to when dad when and said, "today is the day we start car shopping together, let me show what I have learned. Let's got kick some tires."

Throughout the Bible there are stories of how the blessing and rite of passage was a major event in family and nations life. David and Solomon, Jacob and Esau, Elijah to Elisha, just name a few.

No rites of passage moments appear to evaporating and with it goes a big part of parenthood, family, and memories. I think it is a sad, sad statement on our world today. The objects of the blessing and rite are now more important than the experience and the personal blessing, honor, smile from mom and dad.

As a parent of a senior in high school... this sad reality is hitting home with me.
I wish, I pray that my kids wanted and longed for the blessing, the smiles and impute from their parents... instead of just the stuff. Days are short, and memories and moments are even fewer.

Just some observations and ramblings from a guy, husband and father.