Such pressure

"Fathers be  good to your daughters
Daughters will love like you do
Girls become lovers who turn in to mothers
so mothers be good to your daughters too." 
                                                        -John Mayer

This just sums it all up.  If we could all be just good to one another - because everyone is personally touched by others both good and bad- the world would be a better place (sounds so cliche, but it's the truth).  The problem is that just isn't the case.  This post started to be directed at just my daughter and her well being and character.  However, I realized that I need to also be focusing on my sons and their perception of women.  With 50 shades of Grey, sexual abuse, general disregard and respect for girls, destruction in the Middle East, the #askhermore project, sex trafficking, and just normal daily worries, my children's character has been on my mind. These are things I want for my kids:

• I want my kids to be able to stand up for themselves, and for others as well.  I want them to stand strong in their choices and stand for good.  I don't want them to be bullied nor be a bully.  If they see someone being mistreated, I hope they have the confidence to stand up for that person. 
• I want my kids to understand and respect others opinions; No means no, and just because you disagree with someone doesn't mean you stop loving them.
• I want them to love without ceasing; to know they are loved by God and that they can show his love everyday in every situation, through his lens. 
• I want them to be able to set up healthy boundaries so that they have healthy relationships.  
• I want them to be passionate about SOMETHING.  I don't want them to be complacent in their life.  Help someone, do something worth their time, anything that means more than just being.
• I hope they learn from their mistakes and that I don't enable them to continue to keep making them.
• I want them to know they are loved, unconditionally, and in turn some day find a relationship where they also find that unconditional love in a partner.
• I want all my kids to know they are smart and see their potential.  

I guess it all boils down to, I want my kids to stay away from mean, harmful people.  People that might lead them astray from the things I have tried to instill in them.  People that might hurt them...or take advantage of them...people that don't care about them.  I don't want my kids to be hurt. I don't want them to hurt others.  Period.

I pray my kids have better discernment, judgement, and confidence in their relationships than I ever did...I think they are catching on.

Lord, do not let my children look at the things that man sees, but let them see the world through your eyes and respond to it with your wisdom and your love.  Give them a wise and discerning heart so that they can distinguish between right and wrong.