I am super excited to introduce you to my awesome friend and fellow laborer in the Kingdom, Melanie Redd. She has inspired in a more ways than she knows it and it is such an honor to have here with us.

Melanie writes…

The first story…

Is the story of a boy who grew up in a
minister’s home. He was the youngest of 3 brothers. The minister father travelled
almost weekly to speak to groups around the globe. The sweet momma stayed home
to take care of the boys. During their growing up years, this youngest child
didn’t follow the path of the older two children.

He was more of a free spirit,
experimenting, testing, and trying out the things of the world. In high school,
he got in with the wrong crowd and began to drink, try all sorts of drugs, and
sleep around. 

He was quickly heading down a dangerous
path. All along, his ministry parents were almost clueless. They seemed to be
too busy or maybe just too naïve to notice this youngest boy’s progression down
the wrong path. Somehow they “missed” the signs and were quickly
losing this kid. In a final destructive act, the boy got in the car with
another friend–both high on some drug.

Their car crashed, and the boy was
tragically killed. We watched as those stunned parents tried to grapple with
what had taken place, still unaware of how lost and distant their youngest son
was at his death. They had never won their child’s heart or understood his
bent. And, they lost him completely at a very young age.

The second story…

Is the story of a much more subtle
loss. This second boy was also born into a Christian home. His parents were
actively involved in the church and were devout in their faith. They took their
children to church, read the Bible as a family, and made sure that the kids
knew about Jesus.

However, this boy didn’t grow up with
much love. His parents did all of the right things but didn’t enjoy raising
their children. They didn’t seem to like playing with and hanging out with
their children. They were busy, professionals who had “more important”
things on which to focus.

This second boy grew up feeling
unwanted, unloved, and unimportant. His needs were provided for, but he never
felt accepted by his parents. He grew up being cared for but never really
feeling deeply loved. Adulthood found him empty and at a loss, in need of much
counsel and affirmation.

Although this second boy never
rebelled, he really struggled to understand how to love others. He had to learn
to accept the love of God. His journey was a tough one. The parents NEVER TRIED
to win the heart of this second boy. And, as an adult, he wanted nothing to
do with them.

The Big Deal…

The danger of losing your child’s heart
is that they will grow up and not want to be around you. 

• They will leave your house at about age 18 and
  not want to return again. 

• They will have children of their own, and not
  want to bring those babies to see you.

• Or, they will politely spend time with you,
  but keep their hearts protected and their conversations shallow.

If you do not win and keep their hearts as little
children, you will not enjoy them as they mature and grow older. They
will grow up and leave you–physically, emotionally, and in every other way.

The real and ultimate DANGER…

Is that you never even realize you’ve lost their hearts until it is TOO
LATE!

So, how are you doing as a
parent?

As I close, I ask you to consider, pray over, and
answer some honest questions by taking an assessment.

Choose one answer to each question:

1} Do you really have your children’s hearts? All of them?

__ Yes __ No __ Maybe __ Doesn’t Apply

2} Is there open communication with your kids?

__ Yes __ No __ Maybe __ Doesn’t Apply

3} If I were to question each of your
children, would they tell me that they feel deeply loved by you?

__ Yes __ No __ Maybe __ Doesn’t Apply

4} Do you think your kids enjoy being raised in your home?

__ Yes __ No __ Maybe __ Doesn’t Apply

5} Is there joy and laughter in your home?

__ Yes __ No __ Maybe __ Doesn’t Apply

6} Would your kids say that you value them and see them as worthy of
your time and attention?

__ Yes __ No __ Maybe __ Doesn’t Apply

7} Do you think your children will want to come back to see you when
they are grown?

__ Yes __ No __ Maybe __ Doesn’t Apply

8} If your kids are “away” from you right now, have you been
praying for God to bring them back?

__ Yes __ No __ Maybe __ Doesn’t Apply

9} If they are away, are you seeking to build a bridge with them again?

__ Yes __ No __ Maybe __ Doesn’t Apply

10} For all parents, are you praying for God to give you the hearts of
your children?

__ Yes __ No __ Maybe __ Doesn’t Apply

*Now, tally up your score by looking back
to see which answer got the most check marks:

___ Yes ___ No ___ Maybe ___ Doesn’t
Apply

Most of us have some work we can do as parents!

None of us is perfect at parenting or has it all figured out.

Prayer is the very best thing you and I can do to begin to build or
rebuild a relationship with each of our children.

Also, we have created a new resource for parents that you may find very
practical and helpful.

It’s a new book/group study that you can read and complete on your own,
as a couple, or in a small group setting.

It’s called, “How
to Win Your Child’s Heart For Life.”

You can discover more about this new resource by clicking HERE to go to
Amazon.