This book is very challenging for me. It is funny, not haha-but interesting, that I see the truth in unconditional love and yet I find it hard to believe. I crave it and yet have a hard time giving it away. Unconditional love is just such a foreign concept in this day and age. You would think it should be common with the advent of permissive parenting. It seems as though ANYTHING GOES! parenting would definitely be a by-product of permissiveness, but instead it creates children that it is hard for anyone to love in any way, much less unconditionally.
Our children need us to read this book, believe it, write the truths on our hearts and incorporate it into our day to day lives. Blessing our children with the gift of unconditional love is the key to children with strong hearts and minds. What this country needs in this day and age is fewer children loved with 'stuff' and more loved with the act of blessing.
I desperately need to keep re-reading this book until it begins to sink in and become a habit. I hope every other parent out there will do the same.
Monday, August 27, 2012
Monday, August 20, 2012
Reflections
Even though you can't tell it from the horrible neglect, I love my blog. I love the history of my family that it represents. I love the personal growth it has caused me. I love the connections I have made with both of my readers, lol.
The words I have written here are glimpses into my soul. Some of them still hold true, others allowed me to express some pain and through that expression, the pain was eliminated. Once upon a time, I didn't care a bit if I hurt people with my words. In fact, honestly, sometimes it was a cowardly attempt to do just that. I am content to know that I am not that person any longer. Although my words probably still injure people, it is not my intention to do so anymore. I've made some enemies here and there because of my blog and other communications, but all I can do is apologize and then do better. However, some of those damaged relationships remain. Some people choose not to forgive and choose to still dislike me. I hate that fact, but it doesn't change it.
I've heard the phrase, time and words can never be recalled. True words for sure, but I have to remember, it is a choice to be offended. I choose whether to let the words someone speaks to me injure me. Even if they mean it for ill, I can choose to HONESTLY and COMPLETELY not be offended. It takes alot of maturity to do so. Some days I have it and others I don't. Of the people I know, some of them are EAGER to be offended. They look for ways to misconstrue the things people say. God love them, what a miserable way to live. I've been there. I hope I never return to it. I hope I can always give people the benefit of a doubt...even if they don't really deserve it.
The people I live in community with love me, faults and all. Sometimes I speak before I think and they trust my heart more than my words. Now those are relationships that will help a girl grow into maturity.
Last night, my daughter, Kayla, made a remark about how bleaching your hair blonde is so un-natural...to four people who dye their hair blonde that she dearly loves. We all just laughed and laughed as she pantomined putting her foot in her mouth. What a wonderfully safe and loving place to mis-speak. We should all be so lucky when we speak before thinking.
I am so thankful for the blessing of true friendships...the ones that love and remember the good I say and do, but selectively, INTENTIONALLY overlook the stupid or mean things that may pop out of my mouth along the way. And CERTAINLY laugh at all of my jokes, appropriate or not.
At this stage in my life, I truly long for being at peace with everyone. Perhaps I am finally getting some wisdom.
James 3:17-18 17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.
The words I have written here are glimpses into my soul. Some of them still hold true, others allowed me to express some pain and through that expression, the pain was eliminated. Once upon a time, I didn't care a bit if I hurt people with my words. In fact, honestly, sometimes it was a cowardly attempt to do just that. I am content to know that I am not that person any longer. Although my words probably still injure people, it is not my intention to do so anymore. I've made some enemies here and there because of my blog and other communications, but all I can do is apologize and then do better. However, some of those damaged relationships remain. Some people choose not to forgive and choose to still dislike me. I hate that fact, but it doesn't change it.
I've heard the phrase, time and words can never be recalled. True words for sure, but I have to remember, it is a choice to be offended. I choose whether to let the words someone speaks to me injure me. Even if they mean it for ill, I can choose to HONESTLY and COMPLETELY not be offended. It takes alot of maturity to do so. Some days I have it and others I don't. Of the people I know, some of them are EAGER to be offended. They look for ways to misconstrue the things people say. God love them, what a miserable way to live. I've been there. I hope I never return to it. I hope I can always give people the benefit of a doubt...even if they don't really deserve it.
The people I live in community with love me, faults and all. Sometimes I speak before I think and they trust my heart more than my words. Now those are relationships that will help a girl grow into maturity.
Last night, my daughter, Kayla, made a remark about how bleaching your hair blonde is so un-natural...to four people who dye their hair blonde that she dearly loves. We all just laughed and laughed as she pantomined putting her foot in her mouth. What a wonderfully safe and loving place to mis-speak. We should all be so lucky when we speak before thinking.
I am so thankful for the blessing of true friendships...the ones that love and remember the good I say and do, but selectively, INTENTIONALLY overlook the stupid or mean things that may pop out of my mouth along the way. And CERTAINLY laugh at all of my jokes, appropriate or not.
At this stage in my life, I truly long for being at peace with everyone. Perhaps I am finally getting some wisdom.
James 3:17-18 17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.
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