PARENTING & FAMILY
What advice, if any, should I give to my twentysomething child?

(Matthew 14:24-33)
Aim for independence.
The twentysomething person looks at the world and wants to take a crack at all kinds of opportunities. But you're afraid the world's opportunities will crack your child into pieces. How can you help her avoid the mistakes you made? How can you save him the grief you've suffered?

You can't, because through those mistakes, your twentysomething will learn and become as wise as you—or even wiser. If your son or daughter wants to leave the nest, let them move away from you peaceably. If you hold on to your children too tightly, they won't feel free to come back to you if a problem arises. They'll be afraid that if they reach for your hand, you'll never let go again, or you'll scold them for leaving.

You might try a little advice now and then, but don't alienate your child. He or she needs you too badly as a friend. So give yourself about three seconds and check: Is she listening? Has he tuned you out? Should you just laugh and say, "Let me know what you decide"? (See also Ecclesiastes 11:1-12:1; Ezekiel 18:1-20; Amos 5:6-27; 1 Timothy 4:6-16.)

Words to remember:
"Don't worry! I am Jesus. Don't be afraid.—Matthew 14:27

Matthew 14:24-33
²⁴By this time the boat was a long way from the shore. It was going against the wind and was being tossed around by the waves. ²⁵A little while before morning, Jesus came walking on the water toward his disciples. ²⁶When they saw him, they thought he was a ghost. They were terrified and started screaming.

²⁷At once, Jesus said to them, "Don't worry! I am Jesus. Don't be afraid."

²⁸Peter replied, "Lord, if it is really you, tell me to come to you on the water."

²⁹"Come on!" Jesus said. Peter then got out of the boat and started walking on the water toward him.

³⁰But when Peter saw how strong the wind was, he was afraid and started sinking, "Save me, Lord!" he shouted.

³¹Right away, Jesus reached out his hand. He helped Peter up and said, "You surely don't have much faith. Why do you doubt?"

³²When Jesus and Peter got into the boat, the wind died down. ³³The men in the boat worshiped Jesus and said, "You really are the Son of God!"

These excerpts are from The Bible for Today's Christian Woman. This Bible is no longer in print. But new this month is the Woman's Life Bible, which includes the same great features for today's busy woman. Click here to purchase the Woman's Life Bible.

Copyright © 2001 by the author or Christianity Today, Inc. All rights reserved. Excerpted from The Bible for Today's Christian Woman, CEV, pages 1097, 1099. Used by permission. For reprint information call 630-260-6200.