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Write about a few of your favorite family traditions.
When our four daughters were still young we always sat down at the dinner table each evening and ate together.
It became a time of bonding and sharing our day. Some days were filled with laughter and joy others with heated arguments, but no matter what we all sat down together again the next night.
This tradition continued until one by one they began working after school jobs then starting college and later marriage.
I am thankful for those times together and treasure all of those moments both the good and the bad.
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Late night thoughts:
Our priorities change as we age, or at least they should. If you have lost your father, mother and siblings and gone through the trials of life in your marriage. If you have waded through the stormy waves of bringing children up from babies to adults you have learned a thing or two.
Life isn’t easy whether you are rich or poor. We all face hardships.
How we handle the hardships and trials determines our happiness.
Faith in God is the answer to peace and happiness. Money, possessions, titles or sexual conquests cannot bring happiness. Only Jesus can satisfy your soul. -
Sometimes life’s disappointing cuts have caused me unbearable pain. I have cried out in agony, begging for relief. But the hurt lingers on sometimes for days, months, even years. We have all felt the pain of betrayal, rejection or disappointment. The hurt is real, the pain intense. We wonder, why? How? But even if we get the answers to our questions the sting still lingers. The real question is “what do I do now?” Just because someone chose to reject you, do you view your whole life as a failure? Do you close your heart and never open it to anyone else? You could, but what’s the glory in that? No, like all those rejected before us, we swing wide the gate and march on into the glory of our new life, into the newness of tomorrow’s mysteries, the newness of faith and hope. Happiness bids us to come, something better awaits us. When it comes we will sing and dance in victory because we never let regret steal our joy. We will rejoice because we have tasted the sweetness of satisfaction. Life is meant to be good. We are meant to overcome.
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Late evening thoughts:
Taking apart your parents home is extremely painful.
You travel back through their lives and the life you lived with them. Your heart is cracked wide open exposing every emotional feeling you have ever felt towards your immediate family.
So thankful the Word of God comforts us through this time. His love, mercy and faithfulness can carry us through grief and brokenness.
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I do not believe it is healthy to dwell on and live in the past.God is a God of new beginnings. He sent His son so we could have life “and life more abundantly.” Swimming constantly in the waters of the past will prune your skin and you.
Place your hope and faith In God who knows what tomorrow holds! -
One of the most challenging aspects of being estranged from a child is not being able to see or talk to your grandchildren. The grandchildren you nurtured, cared for, and spent focused time with for years.
Now, you are no longer allowed to attend their school activities. You are blocked on their phones.
I imagine that Joseph’s father, Jacob, could relate to the pain and grief we feel. His sons, out of jealousy and hatred for their baby brother Joseph, decided to “estrange” Joseph from the family forever.
Selling Joseph was a choice they made, knowing it would grieve their father, Jacob simply because their hard hearts and jealousy outweighed their love for Jacob or Joseph.
I am sure they based their choice on memories of Jacob showing favoritism towards Joseph, and it fueled hatred within their hearts. They could only see the past through their limited vision. They had no faith that God could create a new dynamic within their family in the future.
God turned this family’s injustice into a wonderful example of miraculous reconciliation. This Biblical example of God’s power brings me great hope and strengthens my faith.
I hold on to the scripture, “Jesus said to him, ‘If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.’”
I chose to believe! I have determined to continue praying and loving my estranged child, knowing they will return to the God who loves them.
I pray if you who struggle with conflict within your family you will look toward the future in faith believing all things are possible with God.
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Late Evening Thoughts:
Bobby and I are exceptionally blessed. We always have been. We’ve have experienced extremely hard times over the
36 years of our marriage, but God has always amazed us with His provision and mercy.
Why? Definitely not because we deserved it, or because of our faith in Him and our obedience to serve Him? No, because of His love for us! He loves you too, my friend .
We are blessed now even through the struggles we are facing. Why? Because we know God will never leave us or forsake us. He will never leave or abandon you!!!
You can trust God! -
Last summer when we were planning our 40 year class reunion I began “rediscoverering.” I went back through all of my high school yearbooks and the many keepsakes, awards, pictures and treasures my momma had saved of my high school years.
One thing in particular that caught my attention was a career goal form I had filled out for Miss Viola Turpin. The question was simple, “What job would you like to have after high school and college?” I had written “Rehabilitation Counselor.”
“Rehabilitation Counselor,” I wonder now if I even really knew what a rehabilitation counselor was when I completed the form. I’m not sure. But one thing I am sure of is — I have always believed in giving anyone the opportunity to do better. I believe in the power of encouragement, hope and faith.
At the dawn of 60 the Lord has blessed me with the opportunity to be a helper, encourager, teacher of those who need many new chances. They need hope and faith. My prayer is I will remember each day what a miraculous and powerful God we serve.
For Real, Elaine?! 