Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Todays Devotion

Our Roadmap

"Children who mistreat their father or chase away their
mother are an embarrassment and a public disgrace~Proverbs
19:24"

OUCH!!! This verse really hits it on the head for us parents,
huh? I'm constantly amazed by the applicability to our daily life that the Bible
has. Yes I know I shouldn't be surprised, but when I find verses like this
written over 2000 years ago it just validates to me that the Bible really is our
roadmap for life. As parents it is our job to raise our children to be
respectful to others while still encouraging their self-esteem and character.
For Christian's it also includes the important duty of incorporating Christian
values and beliefs into our daily lives. One of the things we try to tell the
boys as they misbehave is that "it makes us and Jesus sad but we still love
you". I think that is a valuable lesson for us adults as well, no matter how
often we have disgraced ourselves, embarrassed ourselves or parents from the
sins we've committed we are still ALWAYS loved by JESUS and if we are blessed
enough to have forgiving parents we continue to be loved by them as well. During
my early 20's I went through a somewhat rebellious time, where I remember making
the conscious decision about something knowing it would disappoint my parents,
and being young and a bit okay a lot dumb I went my own way even though it
resulted in embarassment, sadness, and disappointing my parents.  No I didn't
blantently mistreat my parents but through my actions I did chase them away in a
deliberate way by making a decision that I knew they would not support. Okay
this devotion is going in a totally different direction than I anticipated but
that's okay (I was planning on writing about parenting 2 and 3.5 year old, but I
guess God has another plan for me today:).

Wheather we are adults, or toddlers we can disgrase and embarrass others; be it a toddler refusing to
listen in public or a 20 something daughter making stupid choices we have all
had our share of sins that have had negative affects on our relationships around
us. But one relationship is never ended, our relationship with JESUS, yes we may
fall away from him but he is always there to pick us up even if we've chased
everyone else away. Now I'm blessed with very forgiving, and loving parents, so
although I was a young dumb 20 something daughter they continued to love me, and
open their arms when I came running back. So today strive to make the Bible your
roadmap, and when you are feeling tempted by sin as we all do, get out our
roadmap for direction, it will save you a lot of hurt, disgrace, and
embarrassment. Thanks Mom and Dad for being so loving and forgiving for all I
put you through in those few years during my 20s.

In God's
Love,
Sarah












 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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