Junior high parents can be so frustrating.  Sometimes I just wish they would think before they talk to their children.  I wish they would think before they watch that show or movie with their children.  I wish they would think before they do that in front of their children.  I wish they would just THINK!

Sometimes in ministry there is nothing more frustrating than dealing with parents.  In junior high ministry, parents can be the difference between a committed student and a student we rarely see.

There are few things that can rival a parent when it comes to causing frustration for us.

Then there is a Mother-In-Law.  A Mother-In-Law can sometimes meddle in things they need to stay out of.  She sometimes tries to tell us how to raise our kids.  She sometimes gives our kids way to much candy.  She also probably loves to tell you how to cook.

Junior High Parents and Mother-In-Laws can drive us crazy.  It is funny because both of these groups of people think they are doing the right thing.  They don’t see how what they are doing could be wrong or inappropriate.

These are two groups of people that make it easy for us to see what they are doing wrong (or different from what we think they should do).

If we look at things a little differently we can see that a parent or a Mother-In-Law can be a great asset.

Think of the parent that makes sure their student is in your ministry every week.  Then there is the parent that takes the time to read the Bible with their child everyday.  We have to think about the parent that is willing to say NO to their child.  Think of the parent that reaches out to you in good and bad times to allow you to enjoy the celebrations of their child’s life.

My mother-in-law prays for me everyday.  She reads my blog and tells me what she thinks of it.  She will read lessons and give me ideas about ministry in general.  She talks to me with respect and cares for my kids when I need help.

It is interesting how the people that we can see the most negative in, Parents and Mother-In-Laws, are the same people that can bring some of the most joy to our life. They can be some of our biggest assets in ministry and family.

I want to encourage you today to stop focusing on all of the bad situations in your ministry and life.  Celebrate the good things that happen.  Recognize people when they make good choices.  Celebrate with parents when they spend time reading the Bible with their children.  Say thank you to your Mother-In-Law when she does something kind.  Encourage right actions and good behavior and it can be contagious.

Take every opportunity to focus on the positives instead of the negatives.