It's been awhile since I sat down just to write. I really need to do it more often but I find that lately just thinking about writing things down either gives me a headache or brings tears to my eyes.
God is so good, He does not change, His ways are SO much higher than mine, and
His faithfulness is new every morning! It never grows out of style or gives
out! Praise be to God!
I go through a lot of emotions this time of year - always have. As is with most
I feel the loss this time of year - the loss of loved ones who have passed on.
Ironically, I realized the other day that the most important losses have been
around the holidays.
My grandmother & my mom both passed on to a greater
place in November - 22 years apart almost to the day. The 2 greatest influences
of my life. My father passed away 2 days before Christmas 25 years ago – an
influence but not in the way most people would think of in relation to their
father.
I guess I started thinking about the contrasts – the differences in the influences – because we discovered last week that my paternal grandmother passed away in 2002 & we had no idea. My sister stumbled on it looking for family history. My sister & I both agree that the saddest part of her obituary was that there was no mention of her grandchildren. Then we realized that my dad’s obituary had no mention of his children. Like mother like son.
The contrast in influences
I guess I started thinking about the contrasts – the differences in the influences – because we discovered last week that my paternal grandmother passed away in 2002 & we had no idea. My sister stumbled on it looking for family history. My sister & I both agree that the saddest part of her obituary was that there was no mention of her grandchildren. Then we realized that my dad’s obituary had no mention of his children. Like mother like son.
The contrast in influences
Here you have 4 people:
2 parents that influenced their children
2 children that had freedom of choice
2 parents that by appearance choose opposite directions
2 children that lived the example given
I am a product of those influences whether positive or negative – who I am is a direct result of their choices. Who they are defines me.
Yet – who I am is a direct result of the positive influences. Who I am is defined by who I am in Christ. Who I am is because of a Grandmother who prayed diligently. Prayed first for her own daughter to find her God again after taking a wrong turn. Then she prayed for her grandchildren to know God and live life by His Word. Positive Influence!
Who I am is because of a Mother who realized that life without God was wrong & turned her life around. She prayed & lived her life always doing her best to keep her eyes on the God that gave her life. Did she always do it right? Nope & I always made sure I reminded her of that ;) She knew that it was His faithfulness, forgiveness, mercy & love that carried her – that was what she staked her life on. He never let her down. Positive Influence!
As for the negative influences – I learn from those. I learn the path not to take. I learn that it is only Godly influences that keeps me from going the wrong direction. I learn that who I am is only because of ‘Whose I am’ – Who I belong to.
As hard as the losses are & how much my heart aches at times for another chance to spend time with Grandma or just a little bit more time with Mom – what they both left for me can not be put into words. My life will never be the same & I will continue to strive to live my life heading in the direction they both started me on. I pray that my life will be a lasting legacy of what they started.
Where ever you are right now – no matter what the future looks like – your influences will direct you one way or another. How you choose to let those influences direct you is completely in your hands.
Maybe all you see is the negatives - God is waiting to help you walk through them.
Maybe all you see is positives - God is waiting to help you walk through those as well.
God – I AM – Jehovah – Creator – Sustainer of Life & so much more. He is the ONLY God, there is no other! Great is His faithfulness~
Who knows what this coming year will hold - actually I know WHO knows & I am staking my life on Him.~
2 parents that influenced their children
2 children that had freedom of choice
2 parents that by appearance choose opposite directions
2 children that lived the example given
I am a product of those influences whether positive or negative – who I am is a direct result of their choices. Who they are defines me.
Yet – who I am is a direct result of the positive influences. Who I am is defined by who I am in Christ. Who I am is because of a Grandmother who prayed diligently. Prayed first for her own daughter to find her God again after taking a wrong turn. Then she prayed for her grandchildren to know God and live life by His Word. Positive Influence!
Who I am is because of a Mother who realized that life without God was wrong & turned her life around. She prayed & lived her life always doing her best to keep her eyes on the God that gave her life. Did she always do it right? Nope & I always made sure I reminded her of that ;) She knew that it was His faithfulness, forgiveness, mercy & love that carried her – that was what she staked her life on. He never let her down. Positive Influence!
As for the negative influences – I learn from those. I learn the path not to take. I learn that it is only Godly influences that keeps me from going the wrong direction. I learn that who I am is only because of ‘Whose I am’ – Who I belong to.
As hard as the losses are & how much my heart aches at times for another chance to spend time with Grandma or just a little bit more time with Mom – what they both left for me can not be put into words. My life will never be the same & I will continue to strive to live my life heading in the direction they both started me on. I pray that my life will be a lasting legacy of what they started.
Where ever you are right now – no matter what the future looks like – your influences will direct you one way or another. How you choose to let those influences direct you is completely in your hands.
Maybe all you see is the negatives - God is waiting to help you walk through them.
Maybe all you see is positives - God is waiting to help you walk through those as well.
God – I AM – Jehovah – Creator – Sustainer of Life & so much more. He is the ONLY God, there is no other! Great is His faithfulness~
Who knows what this coming year will hold - actually I know WHO knows & I am staking my life on Him.~
"For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord..."
