Read Matthew 19:14–15

Many teenagers get a bum rap. Always have. For some reason, if you’re between 12 and 20, you’re suspect. Cops stare and senior citizens glare. Why? Well....

You drive too fast, you apologize too slow, you aren’t responsible, and you can’t be trusted. The music you listen to is wild-n-wicked, the stuff you read is shallow or sleazy, the places you go are loud and low class. You’re allergic to things like homework, dirty dishes, vacations with the family, turning off your phone, saying “Thank you,” getting up in the morning, and going to bed at night.

If you’ve got a few bucks, you’re probably dealing drugs. If you’re interested in church, it’s probably because you’re prospecting the opposite sex. If you date a lot, you’re probably messing around. If you don’t come home when you said you would, you’re probably where you shouldn’t be. If you’re not on the honour roll, you probably have no ambition.

Getting weary of all this? So are they. Having reared four of them and having talked with hundreds of others, I can tell you they frequently feel “I can’t win.” There are exceptions, I realize, but by and large, the teens of today are loaded with talent, have incredible potential, are plenty bright, have a great sense of humour, and whenever they get their rears in gear, can accomplish phenomenal feats.

Frankly, I’m crazy about teenagers...and so is Jesus!

In response to the sneering snub of his stuffy disciples, Jesus responded,

Let the little children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.” And he placed his hands on their heads and blessed them before he left. (Matthew 19:14–15)

When was the last time you blessed a teenager? When was the last time you had a Coke with some of them? Do you remember the names of the teens who serve you at Applebee’s or notice when they pass you in the church hallway? Do you smile and speak? Consider the Jesus method...try blessing them.

Devotional content taken from Good Morning, Lord...Can We Talk? by Charles R. Swindoll. Copyright © 2018. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, a Division of Tyndale House Ministries. All rights reserved.

The full devotional can be purchased at https://www.tyndale.com/p/good-morning-lord-can-we-talk/9781414380681.