I based my kid thoughts on TV shows in the late 60's and early 70's. Show likes, Leave it to Beaver, I Love Lucy, Happy Days, and the list goes on. TV shows that was happy homes and a life style that didn't show a lot of struggles. As I grew older, I found that financial struggle was real and I had to find my own voice in life. Think about it, in the 60's and 70's a lot of what parents said was just truth and you learned their truth. Some of which was right for me and some was wrong. For example, my mom was very superstitious and if she saw a black cat we couldn't go that way. I remember she turned the car around when she was driving. I broke a mirror and she yelled at me saying now it's your fault we will have 7 years of bad luck. JUST A KID and I took it to heart. The next 7 years I deserved bad things.
Life would move on and things would change even more. I was growing up and sad over somethings of life. The big wonder was why doesn't adults talk to kids without raising their voices and blaming them so much. I would grow up and have two beautiful children. Guess what, I raised my voice to them. It was up to me to stop the way I was treated and begin treating them the way I wanted to be treated as a kid. I did good as a mom but I do better as a grandmother. I know my mistakes and I grow daily in the truth. The truth is this, God is in control and wants the best for us. It's up to each of us to follow his plan and live in kindness. We can not help the way we grew up but we pertaining can help the way we treat others now. You must see yourself the way God does and that's valuable!
Matthew 5:14-16 New International Version (NIV)“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Your example shines more than you might know. I like helping in my granddaughters classes at school. I had a little boy tell me thank you for coming and he hugged me. Another little girl asked if I was coming back? Here is what I know, when I was a kid at school, I got teased a lot. I didn't have friends and a very quiet kid. One day the teacher made fun of me for not being able to spell. I was in 4th grade and it remains today her words.
I was in college when I told a teacher what was said to me. That college teacher spoke words of encouragement and told me the teacher probably never remember that day but look how long you remember it? We only say words to encourage others and be a good example. I trusted this teacher and the kindness showed. Let me bring this back to my topic now.
Proverbs 23:7 ~ as a man thinks, so is he
How about you? Did you grow up thinking one way and finding life another way? I found Jesus when I turned 18 years old and he has remained a source of strength. Knowing that God cares and I began a learning process of change. I can think different and act different. I can live kindness and share good news of Heaven one day. So many changes as a kid to an adult. As a adult to adults, life changes daily. Our own thoughts of self are far more valuable than I ever thought. I can do all things through Christ and the Bible tells me that. Purpose this a good day and be kind to others.
My prayers continue for you, your family and friends.
~ Sparkie