Have you ever stopped to think that your parents may know a 'little' of what they are talking about? Are you brave enough to read on? Will you read with an open mind? an open heart?
You see you just might want to listen a little better when they offer advice/warnings because they have lived through some of the things you are considering, some of the things you've already done.
Parents do not warn you because they want to hurt you or stop you from having fun. When my daughters were born I never said, 'I'm going to take all their joy away and expose them to all kinds of pain.' Duh NO it was more 'Father, give them a life full of joy, health, and peace'. Show me how to teach them right from wrong, to protect them from the evil in the world and to protect them but not smother them. I want my daughters to have full, wonderful lives.'
So you see (and I'm sure deep in your heart you already know) we want to protect you, guide you away from the lies, from things we've experienced or seen our friends experience. Most of us already know the consequences of certain actions and we don't want to see our children go through it, we still remember the pain of wrong actions and words.
Some of you have chosen to be offended by this.
Some parents don't always say it in the best of tones but is it really worth turning your backs on the ones that love you the most? If you have walked away from your parents, if you have done the things they warned you against and you feel they won't forgive you - that's a LIE. You both may need to let go of some pride to get past the lie BUT please return to your family. Your parents love you no matter what you have done, no matter what you have said, you can't kill the love they have for you. You will find they have their arms and hearts open just waiting for your return. Heck I'm sure they have already forgiven you so you can bodily return to your family. Love between a parent and a child is an amazing force. I'm so very honored and thankful for my daughters and I know your parents feel the same.
Don't kid yourself (parents or children) we ALL make mistakes, we all have bad judgement calls and rotten attitudes at times. So forgiveness is a two way street, it's never just ONE person that is wrong.
My challenge to you - are you adult enough, mature enough to step forward and say, I'm sorry and I love you? You can tell the person what you are sorry for if you want but I'm sure they won't even hear anything past the
"I'm sorry", they will be so full of joy and yea lots of tears so give them a break if they can't answer back right away.
What is holding you back? Go further, think about when you become a parent (maybe you are one now). What do you want for your child(ren)? It's not that much different that what your mom and dad wanted (still want) for you is it?
One day you will be looking back and saying, 'no I wasn't perfect but I did the best I could with what I had and what I knew. And my love never died, it only grew.'
Your child will know and pick up on your emotions, they will mimic you and use your excuses. Once you have your own children you will see the many changes that take place in your priorities, what you thought was important for you to have isn't so important anymore. Your parents gave you life, you taught them unconditional love, don't shut them out now. One day you will miss them, one day your child will ask you about your life and you will remember all those times your parents were there for you, took you places they didn't care to go, bought you things while they went without and thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it, would do it over again! A parents love is a pretty amazing love.
Believe me, we do not want to see you hurt or unhappy but we have learned to let go and hope you return.
And remember our Perfect Father, He is showing us the way and we all have a choice to be blessed or face the consequences of going our own way .... “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.” Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
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