We all have a story, a past that most likely has had an effect on who we are and the choices we have made. For some of us this past might be full of joy and success and for others it may be troubled and painful and has perhaps left us with scars and wounds that are having an adverse effect on our future.
Many of us have been through difficulties, we have been hurt by loved ones, lost people we care about, took a wrong turn from time-to-time and made a choice in a moment’s notice that possibly impacted our lives for MANY years.
The good news is, today is a new day. Our past doesn’t have to continue to hurt us. We can wake up and start new. We can raise our voices to God and ask for his forgiveness and guidance. At times we don’t even know where to begin, we may have no idea of the direction in which we would like to go. It doesn’t matter, God has a plan.
When I was young, I didn’t have the relationship with God that I have now and the mistakes and wrong turns I made then have effected who I am and where I am now. I don’t let these choices and missteps act as scars in my life holding me back. I let them be reminders to me of how far I have come. I let the choices I made be examples and opportunities to learn and to teach my children.
I have often heard others say things like, we did it when we were young and we survived. I think to myself, is that what I want for my kids? I don’t want them to follow in my footsteps, I want them to forge a new path and go farther than I ever dreamed possible!
I am open and honest with my kids about the choices I made in my youth, both good and bad. I think it is imperative for me to lead them by example and if a choice I made whether good or bad can serve as a lesson to them I think it is my duty to share the stories and lessons of my past.
Grant me wisdom and strength to raise my children in the “discipline and instruction of the Lord”
I am thankful that I have a relationship with my kids and that they feel comfortable talking to me about life and the stresses and pressures that come with being a teenager or young adult in today’s world. I don’t expect them to always make the right choice, (God knows I haven’t) but I make sure that they have a strong faith and a healthy relationship with God, so when it comes time to make tough choices, they have a foundation to stand on. I am a big believer in teaching our children how valuable they are to the world and giving them a sense of self-worth will take them far. A teenager that doesn’t need to follow others to “fit in” will be much more likely to say “NO” when offered drugs or alcohol than a child that hasn’t been taught that values and morals come before following the mainstream of society.
Give them Godly friends that they would “stir up one another to love and good works”
I look at our world today and the bullying our politicians participate in during elections and well, let’s face it all the time nowadays! I look at Facebook and Twitter and the magazine covers and the constant “Look at Me!” mentality of our society and I think how did we get here?
It is time for us to raise our voices to God and say, “We don’t know where we are going, but we know that YOU know the way. Guide us.” In order for us to turn around this world we have created, we are going to have to do things differently than we have been doing them. It is time for us to stop making excuses for where we are and start looking to God to help us forge a new path. It is going to mean making some tough choices, learning a new way, letting go of the past.
What I have learned over the past 42 years is this, I am only going to get one shot at this. I have no idea when my time here will come to an end and I want to know that when I stand ready for judgement I have made EVERY effort to leave this world and those I have encountered better than I found them. I want to know that I have taught my children how to be a positive light in the world even when it means going against the current.
Give my children love for your Word. Allow them to know and understand it, and follow it wholeheartedly
I thank each and every one of you for reading my thoughts and words each week, I pray for all of you every night before bed. I pray that the words I share have a positive impact on your lives and the lives of those you touch. I pray that my words will not be MY words, but that God will share His message through me.
What I am thankful for is that you took the time to read what I had to share today and I ask you to share it with someone else if you feel that it has a positive message.
Blessings!