“All scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 16-17

Haven’t we all seen it? Friends playing a video game in the den and one is losing. He can take it no longer and simply turns off the PlayStation. Watching the neighborhood gang playing a game of baseball in the back lot, one of the boys strikes out and throws the bat on the rough ending the game. A Saturday night family game of SkipBo ends abruptly when our sweet Suzy gets so frustrated over the hand she has been dealt that she knocks all the cards off onto the floor. You don’t lose that way, I guess. But, you never really win either.

What happens when there is no reset or restart?

An increasing struggle that we see in the youth of today, is a lack of self-governance and self-control. This generation is so accustomed to making a bad move on the game of the week on their iPhone, that they simply start over, refresh, or restart. I don’t like the way that is going so trash it and start a new round or, for that matter, a new game. Just dump it and start completely over. When you live in virtual reality, nothing is solid. Every situation, interaction, or choice can be edited. We can delete it. Or simply add a filter or bunny ears to dress it up and before you know it, it isn’t reality at all. We have learned nothing. Everyone makes a bad move or decision. We all find ourselves down on the scoreboard or in a difficult place. But what happens if we have no platform for overcoming an obstacle, our only recourse is to simply restart. We have not had to think through our current circumstance, consider our options, make a plan and then do the hard work of “going for it.”

“They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus.  Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” They answered him, “No.”  He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish.”  John 21:3-6

That night they caught nothing…and these were professional fishermen. Jesus comes along and asks if they had any fish…with their reply of, “No” and “Oh, by the way we have been at this ALL night”…Jesus did not say, “You poor guys. Come on in and we will just restart tomorrow.”

Instead…He says, “Cast your nets again.”

What if our young people never learn the discipline and emotional integrity of “casting their net again”? Don’t simply t-up another ball and start over. Play the ball from the rough. Every shot isn’t perfect. I don’t win every game. I strike out. I get thrown out. I have been down in the count. I have looked at a raging sea ahead and approaching army coming from behind. I have felt the same hopelessness of fishing all night and catching nothing. So have you…and so should our children.

Amazing things happen when we cast our nets again…try again…believe again…swing again…pray again…trust again. We have a paradigm when we are faced with the same situation again. “Oh yeah, I’ve been here. Down by 1 in the bottom of the 9^th with 2 outs. I may go down, but I’m going down swinging.” Go for it. Push through. Overcome.

You sure don’t lose your breath with tears and dirt running down your cheeks as you click the restart button…but, on the joy of seeing your Father give you the sign to swing for the fences and giving all you’ve got…to be equipped for every good work.

My love,

Buy Candy’s book Rescue here! 

You can swim confidently into the murky waters of parenting teens! Rescue offers wisdom, encouragement, and practical applications. Working with a group of young “Lifeguards” throughout the book, Candy Gibbs gives struggling parents the life preservers they need to rescue teens from a drowning culture. With Biblical insights and Candy’s own creative techniques, Rescue is the “Noah’s Ark” of parenting books, ensuring that today’s teens will carry on a legacy of godliness to generations to come. Find out more!