In the sport of stock car racing, also known as NASCAR, there are several key figures involved in every team. There is the pit crew who maintain and do minor fixes to the car during the race, the crew chief oversees all of the members of the pit crew, as well as the driver, the one responsible for maneuvering and steering the car. Of course, the driver is responsible for all of the on track decisions. There is no doubt that at some moments during the race, an enormous amount of pressure is placed upon the driver and his decisions. However, behind the scenes, in a very low key but vital position is someone call the spotter. The job of the spotter is to watch out for the safety of the driver and to be a second set of eyes. The spotter is usually in the highest spot of the track so that he can see every aspect of the course. This is a job that is based upon trust. If the spotter tells the driver it is clear high or low, then the driver makes the decision to trust the spotter’s evaluation of the situation at hand. As a result of all of these factors, the spotter is able to help the driver avoid and escape many dangers ahead that he cannot see.

Parents, you are to be the spotter for your teenager. It has been said that teenagers have to make decisions that they are not ready to make. Therefore, it is your duty as their parent to watch out and warn them of any coming danger. If you fail to warn them, it is possible they may fail as a result! There are two ways that you can be their spotter during their teenage years…

1. Using your teenage experiences.

One of the hardest things for every teenager to believe is that their parents were at one time a teenager as well. However, it is still a true fact! You can use examples from your own life about both the good choices and bad ones as teaching moments in your teenager’s life. You teenager can benefit from having you tell them about facing some of the very same things they are facing and how you overcame them. You should not shun away from these opportunities, but you must use them as a God-given way to be a spotter for your teenager!

2. Using biblical truths.

You should always take advantage of every situation you have to teach your teenager what God’s Word has to say about their specific situation. They must learn from you that His Word contains the answer to every problem. The stories recorded in the Bible are not fictional characters just used to tell a story, but they were real people with real problems solved by a real God! Teenagers need to be regularly reinforced with the truth that God’s Word has the answer! One way for you to be a spotter for your teenager is to use biblical truths to help them dodge the dangers that lie ahead.

Make a difference in their life. Be their Spotter!

Philip Rabon

Middle School Youth Pastor

Email

919.872.2215 x148

@philiprabon