www.LynnCowell.com: In the Know - Be Willing to Let Them Make Mistakes...: "Thanks you so much for joining me again for this series on building a bridge to your child's heart. I appreciate the encouraging ema..."
The above is a link to a really good series of blogs on parenting. I encourage you to take a few minutes to read over some of them. They are easy to read and very helpful. Hopefully they will be a blessing to you, as they were to me!
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Monday, April 11, 2011
Blind parenting
Growing up, I heard my mother say on numerous occasions, "I will never say that my children will never do something, because that is when they will do it and prove me wrong." Then she would go on and tell about our next door neighbor. She was a mother who ALWAYS took her son's side. In every fight. On every occasion. He. did. no. wrong. Even when he robbed a clothing store, put racks of stolen jeans in her garage, and got caught...it wasn't his fault, it was someone else's fault, he was just helping out a friend who needed some storage space. Even when he gave her a plant for Mother's Day, and told her it was called a Mary Jane plant, and that she didn't have to worry about it at all. He would water it and take care of it for her...(Yep...he was THAT bold, and she was THAT blind to his faults)...It was a marijuana plant. She was bragging about her wonderful son and his great Mother's Day gift, and when another neighbor pointed out what it was, she STILL took his side saying that he couldn't have POSSIBLY known that was what it was. Right. I don't guess by now that you would be shocked to find out that he ended up in prison.
The whole point my mother was trying to make was that she did her best to raise us. She took us to church, she taught us morals, and she loved us very much, but she knew we were not perfect. She knew that we were individuals and that we would make our own choices. And that sometimes, we would make the wrong choices. She knew that we were children, or young adults, and that our reasoning skills had not completely matured. She also made it a point to tell everyone, while we were within earshot, that if they EVER saw us doing anything wrong, to please feel free to discipline us, and then to come and let her know, so she could discipline us as well. And she meant it! She did not want to be blind to our wrong. She did not want to think we were perfect. She wanted to do her part to help us learn to be right.
I learned several valuable lessons through this. First, that I could not get away with anything. If I did something wrong, my momma was going to find out, and she was going to take care of it. After all everyone we knew was watching me. They would tell on me! I would be in serious trouble!
Second, I learned that my mother loved me very much. She didn't want me getting into trouble and ruining my life. She cared about me too much to take my side every time. She loved me enough to allow me to learn hard lessons sometimes, knowing that hard lessons often build strong character. The character that is never tried and strengthened, often fails when hard times come.
Third, I learned that there are consequences to my actions. If I followed the rules, and did what was right, all was well. If I chose to do things my way, despite the rules, I learned that I took the punishment for my actions, whatever they might have been. However bitter they were to swallow. I knew that I could not go home to her crying and she would instantly take my side. I also knew that if I was in the right, she would stand up for me. She was there for me either way...but she never tried to get me out of any punishment that I deserved.
Last, I learned that as a parent, I must pray daily that I am not blind to the wrongs that my children commit. I know that they are children, and that they are going to make mistakes. I would much rather them learn that there are consequences for their actions, so that they don't make the same mistakes, commit the same sins over again all the while thinking, "My momma took up for me last time, she will take up for me again!" I would rather them remember how much trouble they got into the first time, so when they are tempted to sin again, they realize "It's not worth the trouble I'll get in when I get caught!"
Two of my children have recently gotten into a little trouble at school. Both of them made bad decisions. Both of them were punished. And we as a family used both opportunities as learning situations. I can say with quite a bit of certainty (I will never say never) that neither of them will ever do what they did again. I'm also not going to say that they won't get into trouble of different natures. Because I know children. But if and when they do, they will again face the consequences of their actions. They will learn that we love them and stand beside them at all times. They will learn that they alone are responsible for their own actions. We will not make excuses for them. They will learn that in our family you are expected to own up to your mistakes and pay the price for them...They will also learn that life is SO much better and easier, if you just make wise choices.
We are certainly not perfect parents. We struggle each and every day with parenting issues. But we take God's Word seriously. And we take our jobs as parents seriously. I love my children very much. I want them to grow up to be responsible, godly adults with a character that stands out and shines for our Lord. I don't want to be a parent that is blind to my children's faults. I would much rather SEE their faults, so that I can help them to overcome and be better people for it. And I certainly DO NOT want to be visiting them in prison all the while proclaiming loudly that they are innocent (because I missed all the signs that God gave me along the way).
So please pray with me and for me that I will not be a blind parent. If you have children, know that I am praying for the readers of this blog to not be blind parents either. And, if you happen to know me and my children personally, and you EVER see any of them doing wrong, please feel free to let me know. I will not be mad at you in ANY way. I will THANK YOU for caring enough to help me help my children be more responsible and godly young people.
The whole point my mother was trying to make was that she did her best to raise us. She took us to church, she taught us morals, and she loved us very much, but she knew we were not perfect. She knew that we were individuals and that we would make our own choices. And that sometimes, we would make the wrong choices. She knew that we were children, or young adults, and that our reasoning skills had not completely matured. She also made it a point to tell everyone, while we were within earshot, that if they EVER saw us doing anything wrong, to please feel free to discipline us, and then to come and let her know, so she could discipline us as well. And she meant it! She did not want to be blind to our wrong. She did not want to think we were perfect. She wanted to do her part to help us learn to be right.
I learned several valuable lessons through this. First, that I could not get away with anything. If I did something wrong, my momma was going to find out, and she was going to take care of it. After all everyone we knew was watching me. They would tell on me! I would be in serious trouble!
Second, I learned that my mother loved me very much. She didn't want me getting into trouble and ruining my life. She cared about me too much to take my side every time. She loved me enough to allow me to learn hard lessons sometimes, knowing that hard lessons often build strong character. The character that is never tried and strengthened, often fails when hard times come.
Third, I learned that there are consequences to my actions. If I followed the rules, and did what was right, all was well. If I chose to do things my way, despite the rules, I learned that I took the punishment for my actions, whatever they might have been. However bitter they were to swallow. I knew that I could not go home to her crying and she would instantly take my side. I also knew that if I was in the right, she would stand up for me. She was there for me either way...but she never tried to get me out of any punishment that I deserved.
Last, I learned that as a parent, I must pray daily that I am not blind to the wrongs that my children commit. I know that they are children, and that they are going to make mistakes. I would much rather them learn that there are consequences for their actions, so that they don't make the same mistakes, commit the same sins over again all the while thinking, "My momma took up for me last time, she will take up for me again!" I would rather them remember how much trouble they got into the first time, so when they are tempted to sin again, they realize "It's not worth the trouble I'll get in when I get caught!"
Two of my children have recently gotten into a little trouble at school. Both of them made bad decisions. Both of them were punished. And we as a family used both opportunities as learning situations. I can say with quite a bit of certainty (I will never say never) that neither of them will ever do what they did again. I'm also not going to say that they won't get into trouble of different natures. Because I know children. But if and when they do, they will again face the consequences of their actions. They will learn that we love them and stand beside them at all times. They will learn that they alone are responsible for their own actions. We will not make excuses for them. They will learn that in our family you are expected to own up to your mistakes and pay the price for them...They will also learn that life is SO much better and easier, if you just make wise choices.
We are certainly not perfect parents. We struggle each and every day with parenting issues. But we take God's Word seriously. And we take our jobs as parents seriously. I love my children very much. I want them to grow up to be responsible, godly adults with a character that stands out and shines for our Lord. I don't want to be a parent that is blind to my children's faults. I would much rather SEE their faults, so that I can help them to overcome and be better people for it. And I certainly DO NOT want to be visiting them in prison all the while proclaiming loudly that they are innocent (because I missed all the signs that God gave me along the way).
So please pray with me and for me that I will not be a blind parent. If you have children, know that I am praying for the readers of this blog to not be blind parents either. And, if you happen to know me and my children personally, and you EVER see any of them doing wrong, please feel free to let me know. I will not be mad at you in ANY way. I will THANK YOU for caring enough to help me help my children be more responsible and godly young people.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
The blog button I COULD NOT resist
While browsing through some blogs lately, I came across a button that reached out and grabbed me. It sparkled, flashed in neon colors and screamed HEY!!!! LOOK AT ME!!!! CLICK ON ME!!!! FIND OUT MORE ABOUT ME!!!! My friends...it was like the proverbial carrot dangling on the end of the stick in front of my nose...It said...something like...read books for FREE!!!! What?!? Seriously?!? I am an AVID reader, and spend quite a bit feeding my book habit...So this, well, this was FABULOUS news!!!! Of course, I HAD to click on it and check it out!!! So I did. And what I discovered was a world of publishers - Christian publishers in my case - that will send free books to bloggers. If you will review the book when you are done. Different publishers have different requirements...if you are interested, you should check it out! So...my first review...
promises to keep by Ann Tatlock
Looking for a book that is thought provoking and chock full of controversial issues? Then this is the book for you.
Janis Anthony is the mother. She has relocated her family in order to escape an abusive relationship. She leans toward being bitter and even giving up on the thought of love completely. She admittedly has no relationship with God, and even doubts that He has anything to do with what happens in their lives.
Tillie is an elderly lady with one wish left, and she planss to achieve that wish by any means. She is a Christian, and provides wisdom and comic relief throughout a book full of heavy thoughts and deep subjects.
Roz is Janis's eleven year old daughter, who wants everything to be right in her life again. She wants more than anything to reconnect with and just be able to have a good relationship with her daddy.
Covering everything from domestic abuse, to interracial issues, it also touches on substance abuse and war. Very deep subjects for what I though would be a light, easy read. And although it was definitely thought provoking, I was a bit disappointed by the lack of what had the potential to be a strong Christian content in the book. Roz asks Tillie on several occasions how she knew she was going to end up in heaven, to which Tillie gives a very vague answer that only serves to confuse Roz more. Tatlock does a great job at keeping the reader guessing how it will all turn out until the last few chapters in the book. And only then does she give another vague statement or two implying that fact that Roz finally understood Tillie's earlier answer to her questions. I will recommend this book to friends, because it does deal with issues that makes the reader think and reflect. I will warn them though that it is vague in it's theological message.
This book was given to me by Bethany House Publishers for the purpose of writing a review. I was not pressured in any way to write a good review.
And...for those of you who love to read like I do...check out this website...sign up, and receive free books like this one that you can review yourself! www.bethanyhouse.com/bookreviewers
promises to keep by Ann Tatlock
Looking for a book that is thought provoking and chock full of controversial issues? Then this is the book for you.
Janis Anthony is the mother. She has relocated her family in order to escape an abusive relationship. She leans toward being bitter and even giving up on the thought of love completely. She admittedly has no relationship with God, and even doubts that He has anything to do with what happens in their lives.
Tillie is an elderly lady with one wish left, and she planss to achieve that wish by any means. She is a Christian, and provides wisdom and comic relief throughout a book full of heavy thoughts and deep subjects.
Roz is Janis's eleven year old daughter, who wants everything to be right in her life again. She wants more than anything to reconnect with and just be able to have a good relationship with her daddy.
Covering everything from domestic abuse, to interracial issues, it also touches on substance abuse and war. Very deep subjects for what I though would be a light, easy read. And although it was definitely thought provoking, I was a bit disappointed by the lack of what had the potential to be a strong Christian content in the book. Roz asks Tillie on several occasions how she knew she was going to end up in heaven, to which Tillie gives a very vague answer that only serves to confuse Roz more. Tatlock does a great job at keeping the reader guessing how it will all turn out until the last few chapters in the book. And only then does she give another vague statement or two implying that fact that Roz finally understood Tillie's earlier answer to her questions. I will recommend this book to friends, because it does deal with issues that makes the reader think and reflect. I will warn them though that it is vague in it's theological message.
This book was given to me by Bethany House Publishers for the purpose of writing a review. I was not pressured in any way to write a good review.
And...for those of you who love to read like I do...check out this website...sign up, and receive free books like this one that you can review yourself! www.bethanyhouse.com/bookreviewers
Monday, March 28, 2011
Okay, I Admit It
Okay, I admit it. I am having a pity party. It just seems like in every direction I turn I am discouraged. Satan has been throwing fiery darts of lies at me for several months now...and the sad thing is that after so long, I'm tempted to believe them.
"Look at the lack of motivation in your students. If you were a good teacher. You could motivate them."
"You are wearing that dress, again?"
"Your clothes are out of style. You could be the poster girl for What Not To Wear."
"Your kids enjoy being with your husband more. He is more fun than you."
"You can't serve God. You are a looser in everything."
"The girls in your teen group like Mrs. ______ better than you. After all, she is so much more put together than you are."
Then there are the circumstances...Some of my students really are doing poorly. But, the Lord knows I have done every thing I know to do to encourage them. Yes, I have neglected my wardrobe...I am definitely not a fashion plate. But I don't dress to please others. I dress to please the Lord. My husband is the one that has the energy to play with the kids, when I feel like I'm going to drop. But they still beg for my attention as well, and come to me with needs that only a mommy can fill. I do feel as though nothing I touch is going well right now. But I know that this is just a "season" and things will change and get better. And Mrs. ______ IS much more put together than I. And I should not view her as a threat, but tap into her knowledge and love for my girls to help them grow into even greater Christians.
But it's days like this, that I just want to sit down and cry. So I will. I will cry. I will cry out to the Lord. The One who thought so much of me, that He went to a cross and died for me ( John 3:16). The One who formed me in my mother's womb (Ps. 139:13). The One who cares about me, and the things that matter to me (I Peter 5:7). (Eph. 4:1) The One who has called me to be in the position I am in to minister to this group of girls. The One loves me more than I can imagine. And again, I will hold up my shield of faith and withstand those fiery darts that Satan is sending my way. I will not...no matter how many days, months, or even years I am under attack, listen to Satan. I will be me. The me that God in His love and infinite wisdom made me to be. I am not here to please others, or win a popularity contest. I am here to do what God has called me to do. So I will do it. Wholeheartedly. Day by day. In God's strength, and with God's help. (Rom. 8:31)!
Maybe you too have been plagued by some of the same sort of lies from Satan. Maybe different lies...but Satan knows just where to hit us doesn't he? If Satan is speaking lies to your heart today, you can overcome those lies. First, recognize them as what they are...LIES (John 8:44). Second, know that God is the God of truth (Titus 1:2). Third, know that if you are saved, greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world (1John 4:4). And last...take a few minutes to look up verses that speak truth against the lies that Satan is sending your way. Commit those verses to memory, and the next time Satan comes at you with those lies, do what Jesus did...and use God's Word against him. Then sing praises to the Lord who loves you and made you just as you are!
"Look at the lack of motivation in your students. If you were a good teacher. You could motivate them."
"You are wearing that dress, again?"
"Your clothes are out of style. You could be the poster girl for What Not To Wear."
"Your kids enjoy being with your husband more. He is more fun than you."
"You can't serve God. You are a looser in everything."
"The girls in your teen group like Mrs. ______ better than you. After all, she is so much more put together than you are."
Then there are the circumstances...Some of my students really are doing poorly. But, the Lord knows I have done every thing I know to do to encourage them. Yes, I have neglected my wardrobe...I am definitely not a fashion plate. But I don't dress to please others. I dress to please the Lord. My husband is the one that has the energy to play with the kids, when I feel like I'm going to drop. But they still beg for my attention as well, and come to me with needs that only a mommy can fill. I do feel as though nothing I touch is going well right now. But I know that this is just a "season" and things will change and get better. And Mrs. ______ IS much more put together than I. And I should not view her as a threat, but tap into her knowledge and love for my girls to help them grow into even greater Christians.
But it's days like this, that I just want to sit down and cry. So I will. I will cry. I will cry out to the Lord. The One who thought so much of me, that He went to a cross and died for me ( John 3:16). The One who formed me in my mother's womb (Ps. 139:13). The One who cares about me, and the things that matter to me (I Peter 5:7). (Eph. 4:1) The One who has called me to be in the position I am in to minister to this group of girls. The One loves me more than I can imagine. And again, I will hold up my shield of faith and withstand those fiery darts that Satan is sending my way. I will not...no matter how many days, months, or even years I am under attack, listen to Satan. I will be me. The me that God in His love and infinite wisdom made me to be. I am not here to please others, or win a popularity contest. I am here to do what God has called me to do. So I will do it. Wholeheartedly. Day by day. In God's strength, and with God's help. (Rom. 8:31)!
Maybe you too have been plagued by some of the same sort of lies from Satan. Maybe different lies...but Satan knows just where to hit us doesn't he? If Satan is speaking lies to your heart today, you can overcome those lies. First, recognize them as what they are...LIES (John 8:44). Second, know that God is the God of truth (Titus 1:2). Third, know that if you are saved, greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world (1John 4:4). And last...take a few minutes to look up verses that speak truth against the lies that Satan is sending your way. Commit those verses to memory, and the next time Satan comes at you with those lies, do what Jesus did...and use God's Word against him. Then sing praises to the Lord who loves you and made you just as you are!
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Her
I woke up this morning thinking about her. How she must have felt. Wondering if she was scared. Thinking of how excited she had to have been. Scared...possibly. Excited...definitely. Apprehensive...more than likely. I bet she thought...How in the WORLD am I going to tell him? How in the WORLD am I going to explain this to everyone? Will they believe me? Will they laugh at me? Will they hate me? I can't believe this is happening to me!
The Bible doesn't give us a lot of details...just that she pondered these things in her heart. I would love to have known what was going through her mind at that time, and just what all that pondering included. Times were WAY different then...and I am sure the next 9 months...possibly the rest of her life went nothing like she had dreamed or planned. Not in a bad way, just in a different way. I am sure there were those that claimed to be her friends that now shunned her. Maybe those that were already jealous of her that reveled in her "shame". We do know that she went to visit her cousin Elizabeth. I think it was because she needed the support and love of someone who believed in her. Someone who would not judge her. Someone who loved God enough to believe in the miracle growing inside her.
There are times life, when we are falsely accused. Times when people who claim to be our friends shun us. Times when those who already don't like us are looking for a reason to kick us while we are down. And maybe, like her, we have done absolutely nothing to deserve the judgment and accusations flung our way. Maybe our intentions were completely pure and right...and we are just doing our best to serve the Lord...and now it seems the whole world is against us. Then like her, we should ponder these things in our heart...we should not lash out in anger. We should take our hurts and our fears to the Lord. And if God puts an Elizabeth in our life, we can spend time wrapped in her loving, supportive arms. And we should carry on. Continue in the work of the Lord. Keep doing what we do for the Lord's sake.
What if she had caved in? What if she had not been strong enough to do what the Lord asked of her? Where would we all be now?
God has great plans for all of us. We cannot cave in. We have to carry out the work He has for us to do. So for our precious Lord, and for those that come behind us, let's do that work with the right spirit and attitude, regardless of what comes our way!
The Bible doesn't give us a lot of details...just that she pondered these things in her heart. I would love to have known what was going through her mind at that time, and just what all that pondering included. Times were WAY different then...and I am sure the next 9 months...possibly the rest of her life went nothing like she had dreamed or planned. Not in a bad way, just in a different way. I am sure there were those that claimed to be her friends that now shunned her. Maybe those that were already jealous of her that reveled in her "shame". We do know that she went to visit her cousin Elizabeth. I think it was because she needed the support and love of someone who believed in her. Someone who would not judge her. Someone who loved God enough to believe in the miracle growing inside her.
There are times life, when we are falsely accused. Times when people who claim to be our friends shun us. Times when those who already don't like us are looking for a reason to kick us while we are down. And maybe, like her, we have done absolutely nothing to deserve the judgment and accusations flung our way. Maybe our intentions were completely pure and right...and we are just doing our best to serve the Lord...and now it seems the whole world is against us. Then like her, we should ponder these things in our heart...we should not lash out in anger. We should take our hurts and our fears to the Lord. And if God puts an Elizabeth in our life, we can spend time wrapped in her loving, supportive arms. And we should carry on. Continue in the work of the Lord. Keep doing what we do for the Lord's sake.
What if she had caved in? What if she had not been strong enough to do what the Lord asked of her? Where would we all be now?
God has great plans for all of us. We cannot cave in. We have to carry out the work He has for us to do. So for our precious Lord, and for those that come behind us, let's do that work with the right spirit and attitude, regardless of what comes our way!
Saturday, March 26, 2011
A World of Uncertainties
Hebrews 13:5-6 states..."Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me."
This world is FILLED with uncertainties. And although I have not lived as tough a life as many people I know, I have faced trials and tough times. Yet through it all, one thing is as certain as it gets...God will never leave me nor forsake me. He will walk with me through every twist and turn in my life.
A few examples:
1. "You are having contractions 5 min. apart. I'm sending you to the hospital to see if we can stop the labor" -God was there.
2. Three months of complete bed rest to ensure the birth of a healthy baby...with a one year old toddler. - God was there.
3. Our boss says, "I'm moving to a new ministry." Our lives are instantly on shaky ground. Will the new pastor want us to stay? Or do we need to begin looking for a new ministry as well? - God was there.
4. Our lease was up. A For Sale sign was in the yard. Do we buy the house uncertain of our future in the ministry there? Or do we look for a new place to live? - God was there.
5. "Mom took Dad to the hospital today. He couldn't breathe. You might need to come home." - God was there.
6. "The rehab center called. Dad took a turn for the worse. We need to get to the hospital now." - God was there.
7. "There is nothing further we can do. The family needs to make a decision. We will meet at 2:00 tomorrow." - God was SO there.
8. When we buried him. - God was there
9. "It is cancer. Next to my spine. They want to do treatments to see if they can shrink it." -God was there.
10. "I'm in so much pain, sometimes I just pray to God to go ahead and take me home." - God was there.
11. When she needed me to help her just to do some of the most basic functions of life, and I had to return the favor for all she had done for me all my life. -God was there.
12. When we buried her next to my Daddy.. -God was there.
13. "You are definitely pregnant, but we are not finding a heartbeat. It could be that it is too early. We are going to send you for some blood work, and then we want you to come back next week for another ultrasound." - God was there.
14. When she was born 9 months later, and the Dr. rejoiced and prayed with us. - God was there.
15. When we did change ministries, and my son had a terrible time adjusting. -God was there.
16. When I realized we were dealing with a learning disability. - God was there.
17. When we learned that my mother-in-love is facing cancer. Again. For the THIRD time. - God is here.
18. When we learn a beautiful child in our extended family has leukemia, and a long battle ahead of her. -God is here.
20. When it seems as though the world has gone crazy around us and countries are fighting amongst themselves. - God is here.
21. When the earth trembles, and waves wipe out whole communities. -God is here.
22. When my own little corner of the world is upended, and my life as I know it may change, and everything around me seems uncertain...God is here.
I don't know about you...but I just needed those verses and that list..The reminder that in a world of uncertainties, one thing is certain, and that is the fact that God always has been, is, and always will be with me. He will never leave me nor forsake me. He will walk with me through every trial that comes my way, and when we (the Lord and I) walk out on the other side. I will be more like Him and He will receive the honor and glory for it.
This world is FILLED with uncertainties. And although I have not lived as tough a life as many people I know, I have faced trials and tough times. Yet through it all, one thing is as certain as it gets...God will never leave me nor forsake me. He will walk with me through every twist and turn in my life.
A few examples:
1. "You are having contractions 5 min. apart. I'm sending you to the hospital to see if we can stop the labor" -God was there.
2. Three months of complete bed rest to ensure the birth of a healthy baby...with a one year old toddler. - God was there.
3. Our boss says, "I'm moving to a new ministry." Our lives are instantly on shaky ground. Will the new pastor want us to stay? Or do we need to begin looking for a new ministry as well? - God was there.
4. Our lease was up. A For Sale sign was in the yard. Do we buy the house uncertain of our future in the ministry there? Or do we look for a new place to live? - God was there.
5. "Mom took Dad to the hospital today. He couldn't breathe. You might need to come home." - God was there.
6. "The rehab center called. Dad took a turn for the worse. We need to get to the hospital now." - God was there.
7. "There is nothing further we can do. The family needs to make a decision. We will meet at 2:00 tomorrow." - God was SO there.
8. When we buried him. - God was there
9. "It is cancer. Next to my spine. They want to do treatments to see if they can shrink it." -God was there.
10. "I'm in so much pain, sometimes I just pray to God to go ahead and take me home." - God was there.
11. When she needed me to help her just to do some of the most basic functions of life, and I had to return the favor for all she had done for me all my life. -God was there.
12. When we buried her next to my Daddy.. -God was there.
13. "You are definitely pregnant, but we are not finding a heartbeat. It could be that it is too early. We are going to send you for some blood work, and then we want you to come back next week for another ultrasound." - God was there.
14. When she was born 9 months later, and the Dr. rejoiced and prayed with us. - God was there.
15. When we did change ministries, and my son had a terrible time adjusting. -God was there.
16. When I realized we were dealing with a learning disability. - God was there.
17. When we learned that my mother-in-love is facing cancer. Again. For the THIRD time. - God is here.
18. When we learn a beautiful child in our extended family has leukemia, and a long battle ahead of her. -God is here.
20. When it seems as though the world has gone crazy around us and countries are fighting amongst themselves. - God is here.
21. When the earth trembles, and waves wipe out whole communities. -God is here.
22. When my own little corner of the world is upended, and my life as I know it may change, and everything around me seems uncertain...God is here.
I don't know about you...but I just needed those verses and that list..The reminder that in a world of uncertainties, one thing is certain, and that is the fact that God always has been, is, and always will be with me. He will never leave me nor forsake me. He will walk with me through every trial that comes my way, and when we (the Lord and I) walk out on the other side. I will be more like Him and He will receive the honor and glory for it.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Standing Alone
I told my husband the other day, that as every day passes, I feel like we stand alone in our convictions.
We do not condone lying. Yet we know that there are those both children and adults with whom we have close contact that think nothing of lying about both big and little things everyday.
We do not allow our children to watch things that are against what the Bible says is pure and holy...like witches, wizards, warlords, idiot parents without a clue, or any authority figures made to look like idiots for that matter, people treating others without respect, sex before marriage...etc. Yet others seem to think nothing of letting their children consume garbage like the above on a regular basis.
We do not allow our daughter to date or have a boyfriend. She is 13! She has NO business dating. She is welcome to be friends with all of the boys she knows, but not to be girlfriend to any of them. We have talked about this...a boy tells her he "loves" her...but just the week before, he was telling some other little girl how much he "loved" her. Does he love either of them? No! He is "in love" with the idea of having a girlfriend. When she told him she was not interested in having a boyfriend at this time, he quickly moved on to another little girl whom he "loved." Why are kids having sex before marriage? Because we are allowing them to become much too intimate way too soon.
We do not allow our children to have a bad attitude. Now I am not saying that they don't have one from time to time, but when they do...we deal with it. They are not allowed to talk back, raise their voice, slam doors, or roll their eyes. They are allowed to come respectfully to us and discuss civilly anything they feel is unreasonable or unfair.
But in all of these things...even in the mostly Christian circles which we associate, I still feel as though we stand alone. We are looked at like we are crazy when we have to tell our daughter no, she can't watch the movie that all of her friends are going to see. Do those parents not know what the movie is about? Do they not care? Are they blind to the affects that the movie will have on the innocence of their girls. Do they not care about how Satan will use the movie to separate their daughters from Christ, or righteous living. If I let my daughter see a movie that involves teen involvement in the occult, or teen sex...am I not saying it is okay for her to do those things? I might say NO with my words, but if I let her go see that movie, I am saying yes with my actions...And we all know what they say about actions speaking louder than words. My teen does not have the maturity level or experience to make wise decisions when it comes to what is best for her. Which is why God has given her father and I that responsibility. If I allow her to go see or hear or do something He does not want her to see or hear, or do...then I am held responsible. Before God.
And so...I choose lonely. And I choose looks from other parents that think I am crazy. And I choose to stand alone. And I choose to protect my children. And I choose lonely children over popular, ungodly children. And I choose to please God.
Choosing to stand alone for the sake of my children,
Tricia
We do not condone lying. Yet we know that there are those both children and adults with whom we have close contact that think nothing of lying about both big and little things everyday.
We do not allow our children to watch things that are against what the Bible says is pure and holy...like witches, wizards, warlords, idiot parents without a clue, or any authority figures made to look like idiots for that matter, people treating others without respect, sex before marriage...etc. Yet others seem to think nothing of letting their children consume garbage like the above on a regular basis.
We do not allow our daughter to date or have a boyfriend. She is 13! She has NO business dating. She is welcome to be friends with all of the boys she knows, but not to be girlfriend to any of them. We have talked about this...a boy tells her he "loves" her...but just the week before, he was telling some other little girl how much he "loved" her. Does he love either of them? No! He is "in love" with the idea of having a girlfriend. When she told him she was not interested in having a boyfriend at this time, he quickly moved on to another little girl whom he "loved." Why are kids having sex before marriage? Because we are allowing them to become much too intimate way too soon.
We do not allow our children to have a bad attitude. Now I am not saying that they don't have one from time to time, but when they do...we deal with it. They are not allowed to talk back, raise their voice, slam doors, or roll their eyes. They are allowed to come respectfully to us and discuss civilly anything they feel is unreasonable or unfair.
But in all of these things...even in the mostly Christian circles which we associate, I still feel as though we stand alone. We are looked at like we are crazy when we have to tell our daughter no, she can't watch the movie that all of her friends are going to see. Do those parents not know what the movie is about? Do they not care? Are they blind to the affects that the movie will have on the innocence of their girls. Do they not care about how Satan will use the movie to separate their daughters from Christ, or righteous living. If I let my daughter see a movie that involves teen involvement in the occult, or teen sex...am I not saying it is okay for her to do those things? I might say NO with my words, but if I let her go see that movie, I am saying yes with my actions...And we all know what they say about actions speaking louder than words. My teen does not have the maturity level or experience to make wise decisions when it comes to what is best for her. Which is why God has given her father and I that responsibility. If I allow her to go see or hear or do something He does not want her to see or hear, or do...then I am held responsible. Before God.
And so...I choose lonely. And I choose looks from other parents that think I am crazy. And I choose to stand alone. And I choose to protect my children. And I choose lonely children over popular, ungodly children. And I choose to please God.
Choosing to stand alone for the sake of my children,
Tricia
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