Relationship Tip: Support Your Children
- Uncategorized
- January 19, 2016
Scriptures:
Psalms 127:3
Behold, children are a gift of the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward.
Proverbs 22:6
Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it.
A few days after Christmas in 2014, my son David came into my office and informed me that he had purchased a one way ticket to LA. I was shocked. Stunned. I immediately went into a troubleshooting mode and begin to inquire as to his plans. I wanted to know where was he planning to stay? Who were they? What was he going to do for money? Etc…. I even offered to go with him to help sort all of that out, but he would have no part of it. He wanted to do it all on his own. Although I respected his decision, it hurt, because, it was so far from my experience, as a child and as a parent.
On, Jan 19, 2015, one year ago today, David moved to LA to begin his journey on being a music producer.
David’s leaving was very difficult for me, for many reasons. Primarily because his choices the last few years did not line up with “my blueprint” of what I had planned for David’s life. I knew he would eventually end up in LA or NY, but I just didn’t anticipate it being this soon.
I have to confess, that my responses to his choices at times, were raw and may have even felt like doubt or lack of support to him. I took his decisions personally and felt like I have failed him. I was just hurt and disappointed and honestly didn’t know how to deal with my emotions.
But God was working on me. Even though I went kicking and screaming, God was teaching me how to be a parent. (I’m still school! Pray for your boy!)
I had to learn to trust God and David and learn the painful lesson, that David’s life is David’s life. My job as a parent is to train him up in the ways that he should go, to love him unconditionally and to support him where I can.
As David was leaving, he texted the family and said, “Love you guys. I’m going to make you guys proud out here, I promise!” Then he posted the following quote from Neale Donald Walsch on Facebook, which gave me comfort and peace about his leaving.
“Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.”[i]
Almost one year later on yesterday, David wrote the following post on Facebook:
January 19th marks a year of me living in LA! I personally wanted to celebrate it by beginning a new journey, which is me transitioning into a solo artist! Tomorrow I will be dropping my first single “One Way”! This is the first single off of my project “I.D”! I can’t wait to share with you the stories and concepts that I have been sitting on for so long. I’m really ready to show the world what I’m capable of! Thank you to everyone that has supported me this far in my journey of living in LA and just in general. I pray I make you all proud!
Way to go David! I want to publicly congratulate David on his new project. And Yes David, I am so proud of YOU.
Please join me in congratulating my incredibly talented, kind and beloved son David in whom I a well pleased!
Do me a favor, pray for the success of David’s project and production work. Go to https://soundcloud.com/d-phelps to check out his music.
Dr. Phelps
[i] Quote By Neale Donald Walsh
Prayer
Lord, I pray for our child(ren). May they be safe and secure from all hurt, harm and danger, both seen and unseen. Cancel any generational curses and confer upon them any generational blessings. Give them wisdom so that they may they willfully choose to serve you. Grant them peace, love, long life, and prosperity. Help us to be good parents and Godly role models. Empower us to work together to lead, guide and direct them into their destiny. In Jesus’ Name. AMEN.
Juanita
I am encouraged by your honesty. I am proud of him as well. I’m proud of you for having the courage to let go and see that your teaching wasn’t in vain. To God be the Glory. I can’t wait to hear it. Tell David congratulations. We are so proud of him.
Kenneth Phelps
Hey Juanita,
Thanks for the feedback! Will do!
Thanks,
Pastor
Veneeta
This is a wonderful testimony and example of support of a child. I too am so proud of my baby and pray God’s choicest blessings on his life.
Way to go David!!
Kenneth Phelps
Thank you Baby!!! 🙂
Al Jackson
Pastor, Roomie, brother…I thank you for your guidance and putting this out there for men to see. It is a very important life lesson we can all use. Thank you for your continued leadership. I pray David continue to follow your lessons and the lessons of God on his journey.
Kenneth Phelps
Al! What’s good Deacon, Roomie, Brother! Thanks for reading the blog and commenting. Appreciate the words of affirmation!
Love you Bro!
KP