The last couple months I've had the privilege of watching the hand of God move in the midst of my dear family. It is amazing how much joy, healing and happiness it's added to my life and those of my family members.
Being raised in a Christian family, we were taught to love God and each other. To strive to follow Christ with all our heart and to deny ourselves. Since we weren't the perfect family, we had our quarks and tussles and yes even times we fought together. When one was ready to give up the other was still holding onto some strand of hope. And there was a stick-to-ive-ness. Got to love how uniquely each individual was created.
To all those who may shed many a tear in the midst of their difficult days trying to understand why life must be as such... There is HOPE. I don't mean to prance in 'pomp in circumstance' but truly believe that God works all things in His time. Let not your heart be weary or overcome by what is right now but rather hope for what is to be. For I too had given in to just accepting things as they were for the remainder of life.
As the older of us kids became adults and moved out on our own there were changes which took place and as it is natural for parents to care about their kids, it is important to constantly give them (kids) to the Lord. Remember that God's word will not return void but accomplish that which it was meant to do. It was as these changes occurred that there was some tension which arose. Yet, I am reminded to always take these differences to the Lord. This life isn't about how one child is listening to this and another child is getting involve in that... It is about a relationship with our Maker.
Remember Paul's words, 'Work out your own salvation...'? It must be applied individually. And each one must come to bear their own cross. This calls to remembrance something my mom told me as a little girl and it seems as if I can still hear her clear as day just now, 'I cannot walk out the Christian walk for you as much as I'd like to. You have to o it yourself.' Such truth! I love the latter part of Paul's exhortation, '...with fear and trembling.' I don't know about you but it was pretty easy to follow the current when we were all at home. Living on your own was something else. It was then that our 'convictions and stands' would be put to the test. Which ones were really our very own and which ones were we simply 'doing' because we knew better in the presence of parents or particular friends? So as we mature and 'work out our own salvation' the fear of the Lord becomes more a reality in our own hearts and lives. Remember, it's about a relationship and not simply a performance based religion.
It is with much joy that I write to you having been on one side of the railroad tracks to now traveling on the other side. Yes, even my beloved parents have expressed joy and praise as they've witnessed God working in the hearts and lives of their kids. It is a joy to see us more as a family! Also, I'm extremely grateful that they (parents) spent many an hour on bended knees. For had it not been so, who knows where I'd be. It is only through His love and mercy that we aren't consumed!
Praise the Lord who makes all things beautiful in His time!
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