I cannot stop thinking about the article called “YOUNG PEOPLE NEED YOUR TIME” in our local paper, The Northland Age, Tuesday, May, 24, 2011.
What is the heart cry of the young people of this country (New Zealand) at the present time? According to the New Zealand Aotearoa Adolescent Health and Development ( NZAAHD) director Sarah Helm the cry is for more time from adults. They are crying for a closer relationship with their parents. They want a quality relationship with Mum and Dad.
I HEAR HERE A DEEPER HEART CRY. I THINK ALL OF US ARE CRYING FOR A RELATIONSHIP WITH OUR CREATOR. WE ARE CRYING FOR A RELATIONSHIP WITH OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN. DO YOU AGREE? WAIT AND SEE.
What reasons do young people give for not having the relationship they really want with their parents? Fathers don’t care or live at another place. Parents are too busy with work. Mothers are busy with housework and looking after other children.
On top all that, we can well ask, “What happened to the family, Mum and Dad and the children?” The children are having grandparents, step parents and other adults as caregivers.
Children who have a CLOSE, A QUALITY RELATIONSHIP with their parents are really blessed says the artice. It helps the children to be healthy and well and helps to keep them out of trouble. The article says also that a quality child parent relationship reduces “suicidal tendencies, mental health problems, drug and alcohol abuse, and criminal activity”.
YOUNG PEOPLE ARE CRYING FOR A QUALITY RELATIONSHIP WITH THEIR PARENTS. THEY ARE NEEDING A CLOSE RELATIONSHIP WITH THEIR PARENTS AND LONGING FOR A CLOSE RELATIONSHIP WITH THEIR PARENTS.
THE FACT IS THAT ALL OF US ARE LONGING FOR A RELATIONSHIP WITH OUR CREATOR. WE ARE LONGING FOR A RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD.
Listen to what St Augustine said long ago: (In the year 397)
“YOU HAVE MADE US FOR YOURSELF , O LORD, AND OUR HEARTS ARE RESTLESS UNTIL THEY FIND THEIR REST IN YOU.”