After falling to my knees and repenting of my ways, I heavily began listening to Christian talk radio. It included so much preaching that it became a hobby (listening to preachers ‘preach’). While tuning in one day, I became intrigued and attracted to one minister. He happened to have a church in my current city. I visited and immediately joined. I, not favoring a person’s race when it comes to relationships, found it easy to relate to this same race preacher. His stories were hilarious, applicable, easy to understand, and most importantly, biblically centered. As I grew, I heard and read many things that were challenging to my current lifestyle. Yes, I was a Christian, but giving up some of my most treasured and pleasurable sins were not comfortable, either was it easy. It had been made very clear to me that when I accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, that a helper was included. The helper’s role was to give me the power and discretion to make and maintain decisions based on God’s way of thinking. Also, He would provide clarity without any misunderstanding. Knowing all this made my situation more mentally challenging. Half the time when I would make bad decisions, I clearly knew I was wrong. It simply ‘boiled down’ to… I did what I wanted to do. When approached by other believers about my choices, I defended what I last week was so strongly against. Confusion!
To this day, that hasn’t stopped. I have matured to not verbally defend my sins to others, but there’s still a mental war. Is this good or bad? Well, the bible doesn’t speak much on the matter. Maybe it’s fine. This week it’s good, next week it’s bad. One thing I do know, God has made sin crystal clear to his children that desire to please Him. Adam and Eve were created, but not controlled by God. As God provided direction then, he still does now. They were given the ability and right to have a free will, which is an easy way to identify someone’s love.
The deeper in love you become with a person; the more you freely sacrifice yourself and serve the other. Any good mommy or daddy can relate. You work, you clean, you wash clothes, you read books, and you pray, you comfort, you discipline, your share your bed, you wipe butts (literally), you pay… For what, a child who you continue to give and gave life. The baby/young child/teenager is clearly not able to do the same for you (anytime soon). However, you could care less. This is your child, who you are so deeply in love. These characteristics of love are very similar attributes of the same God I follow and serve. Whether you or your children realize it or not, you are blessed because someone sacrificially loves you.
It’s safe to say that the biggest gift your child could give is being a good representation of you. The joy which comes from a teacher, neighbor, or coach speaking well of your child fosters a healthy pride. Again, it’s probably safe to say, their behavior is a good reflection of their family’s lifestyle, which you help create and provide. Any behavior outside the norm of a family’s tradition brings shame and grief to the entire family. If there’s real love in the family, unhealthy behavior is abnormal and possibly a reflection of rebellion. Your children have the free will to act any way they desire, regardless of how much you love them. Experience teaches rules and guidelines do not promote and sustain healthy compliance. There must be willingness for the child to show love through obedience and a clear realization that bad choices demonstrate disrespect. Maturing in love takes time.
Showing love through obedience has become more of a reality to me with age. I have come to the conclusion, that love is defined by sacrifice and service. When my family is asked how they know daddy/husband loves them, the answer (for me) must be because of his sacrifice and service to me (specifically). As I grow in greater love for my family, I’m confident that will be the resolution (Matthew 23:11). The same goes for my relationship with the Lord. My love and better understanding of Him will help me serve and sacrifice more of myself. My indiscretions will become less and I will become a better representation of my family (John 14:15).
If you desire to be a part of a family, whose Father has already sacrificed and served you (John 15:13); accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. God has already and will continue serving you as a good father. However, it’s your responsibility to accept him as your daddy.
http://www.intouch.org/resources/all-things-are-new/content/topic/how_do_i_accept_jesus_as_my_savior_all_things
To this day, that hasn’t stopped. I have matured to not verbally defend my sins to others, but there’s still a mental war. Is this good or bad? Well, the bible doesn’t speak much on the matter. Maybe it’s fine. This week it’s good, next week it’s bad. One thing I do know, God has made sin crystal clear to his children that desire to please Him. Adam and Eve were created, but not controlled by God. As God provided direction then, he still does now. They were given the ability and right to have a free will, which is an easy way to identify someone’s love.
The deeper in love you become with a person; the more you freely sacrifice yourself and serve the other. Any good mommy or daddy can relate. You work, you clean, you wash clothes, you read books, and you pray, you comfort, you discipline, your share your bed, you wipe butts (literally), you pay… For what, a child who you continue to give and gave life. The baby/young child/teenager is clearly not able to do the same for you (anytime soon). However, you could care less. This is your child, who you are so deeply in love. These characteristics of love are very similar attributes of the same God I follow and serve. Whether you or your children realize it or not, you are blessed because someone sacrificially loves you.
It’s safe to say that the biggest gift your child could give is being a good representation of you. The joy which comes from a teacher, neighbor, or coach speaking well of your child fosters a healthy pride. Again, it’s probably safe to say, their behavior is a good reflection of their family’s lifestyle, which you help create and provide. Any behavior outside the norm of a family’s tradition brings shame and grief to the entire family. If there’s real love in the family, unhealthy behavior is abnormal and possibly a reflection of rebellion. Your children have the free will to act any way they desire, regardless of how much you love them. Experience teaches rules and guidelines do not promote and sustain healthy compliance. There must be willingness for the child to show love through obedience and a clear realization that bad choices demonstrate disrespect. Maturing in love takes time.
Showing love through obedience has become more of a reality to me with age. I have come to the conclusion, that love is defined by sacrifice and service. When my family is asked how they know daddy/husband loves them, the answer (for me) must be because of his sacrifice and service to me (specifically). As I grow in greater love for my family, I’m confident that will be the resolution (Matthew 23:11). The same goes for my relationship with the Lord. My love and better understanding of Him will help me serve and sacrifice more of myself. My indiscretions will become less and I will become a better representation of my family (John 14:15).
If you desire to be a part of a family, whose Father has already sacrificed and served you (John 15:13); accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. God has already and will continue serving you as a good father. However, it’s your responsibility to accept him as your daddy.
http://www.intouch.org/resources/all-things-are-new/content/topic/how_do_i_accept_jesus_as_my_savior_all_things
