Two parents; two scenarios. Two children affected by the words of those parents. To one child life is breathed into his spirit as his father claims, "Son, you have such talent in this. I know God will use it throughout your life." The other child dies a little as his father exclaims, "Son, can't you do this right? Any idiot could figure it out!" Two lives molded by the words of their fathers. One encouraged to blossom and become all God created him to be. The other stifled and trampled, left to question his worth.
We can do so much as parents to try to ensure the success of our children - dance classes, private schools, church attendance, tutors, summer camps, etc. However, whatever attempts we make will be nullified if our words are harsh and demeaning towards those children. Proverbs 18:21 warns us that "Death and life are in the power of the tongue." With our words we either pass on wisdom and value to our kids, or we pass down a feeling of worthlessness and anger. Many call positive words spoken to and over our children a 'blessing' and negative words spoken a 'curse'.
One of our deepest desires as human beings is to have others recognize and admit our worth. No one wants to feel that his life has no meaning or value. Yet some children, even some adults, accept the lie that they are useless because they have not had the privilege of experiencing someone blessing them with their words. Children in particular are very vulnerable to the lack of blessing over their young lives. So many are trapped with feelings of anger, resentment, and depression because they were not verbally blessed by their parents. Instead, they were ridiculed and demeaned.
Blessing children was so vitally important in the New Testament times that several parents brought their children before the Lord Jesus Christ and asked Him to bless them. Jesus knew the impact His touch and words would have on those kids. So, He stopped what He was doing, laid His hands on the children, and spoke blessings over them. The word 'blessed' used to describe this scene means 'to speak well of.' Jesus spoke well of the children who were brought to Him.
Our children long to hear us speak well of them. They yearn for it. If we were honest with ourselves, we would have to admit that one of our deepest longings is to know our own parents believe in us. Do not withhold blessings from you children. Bless them often. Do not make them work to receive your blessing. They have something you can praise them for. Today is the day to take hold of your child, look him/her in the eye, and bless them for who they are and what God is molding them to be. Your child will thank you for it.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Forgiveness
Today's blog is dedicated to my friend Sharmen, not because she can't forgive or needs forgiveness, but because she is faithful to ride my tail to write. Thanks Sharmen!
We all want freedom. Turn on the news any given day and you will hear people talk about liberty, rights, and freedom. Many are oppressed from the outside - people with little to no rights who are smothered by their own government and rulers. Then there are some who are oppressed from the inside - people like you and me who, because we harbor sin, do not experience the freedom Christ came to establish for His people.
Over the past few years I have been finding more and more freedom in Christ. In fact, I have a stratigically placed picture to remind me of my freedom. It is a dove who is taking flight as the chains on her feet are broken and falling off. I love this picture, for it beautifully represents what Christ came to do for me and for you. Our freedom was bought with Christ's one time sacrifice, but our realization to walk in it is a daily process; a process that takes time and maturity.
I have come to understand that one of the strongest chains of bondage is our unwillingness to forgive. Nothing causes more unnecessary pain. Nothing rips at a heart more fiercely. Nothing holds us in a tighter grip than unforgiveness. Scripture tells us in Colossians 3:12-13, "Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you must do."
We all need forgiveness, and we all need to forgive. We don't just forgive the little things, we forgive the big things. We shouldn't simply forgive to a point, we should forgive all the time - seventy times seven. With this forgiveness comes the renewing of the spirit. We gain strength and joy. We realize hope and grace. We break free and fly!
I have come to realize that I have harbored much unforgiveness, reciting in my head words that have hurt and behaviors that have crushed my spirit. Each time I relive those experiences, I strengthen the chains that bind me. I remind myself that some people do not accept me and look down on me. Like a tape recorder playing over and over in my head I hear words that cut, I see situations that destroy my self value. I relive the pain over and over. I refuse to live like this any more. I want to be free to live out all that God has for me. I will no longer allow myself to be held in the bondage of unforgiveness. Yes, I have the choice. I can walk free, or remain entangled.
Today and every day I plan to forgive. No longer will I harbor unforgiveness. I refuse. I choose forgiveness. I no longer feel the need to hold someone accountable for what they have done to me. God is just, He can do that. I wasn't created to carry that burden. I no longer want it. Even now I can feel the chains breaking. I can feel my wings begin to stretch. Yes, I'm taking flight! I am not bound any longer by my unforgiveness. I am only bound by God's grace. Yes, this is where I want to be. This is where I was created to be.
So, are you burdened and heavy hearted? Perhaps there is someone you need to forgive. Perhaps you are living in past hurts. Who are you allowing to hold you in chains because you are angry and hurt? Can you forgive them? Remember, no pain has been caused us greater than the pain our sin has caused our God. He has forgiven us. He even loves and chooses us. Can we forgive knowing that in doing so we are exhibiting the beauty of our Savior? I believe so for at no time do we look more like Him than when we forgive.
We all want freedom. Turn on the news any given day and you will hear people talk about liberty, rights, and freedom. Many are oppressed from the outside - people with little to no rights who are smothered by their own government and rulers. Then there are some who are oppressed from the inside - people like you and me who, because we harbor sin, do not experience the freedom Christ came to establish for His people.
Over the past few years I have been finding more and more freedom in Christ. In fact, I have a stratigically placed picture to remind me of my freedom. It is a dove who is taking flight as the chains on her feet are broken and falling off. I love this picture, for it beautifully represents what Christ came to do for me and for you. Our freedom was bought with Christ's one time sacrifice, but our realization to walk in it is a daily process; a process that takes time and maturity.
I have come to understand that one of the strongest chains of bondage is our unwillingness to forgive. Nothing causes more unnecessary pain. Nothing rips at a heart more fiercely. Nothing holds us in a tighter grip than unforgiveness. Scripture tells us in Colossians 3:12-13, "Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you must do."
We all need forgiveness, and we all need to forgive. We don't just forgive the little things, we forgive the big things. We shouldn't simply forgive to a point, we should forgive all the time - seventy times seven. With this forgiveness comes the renewing of the spirit. We gain strength and joy. We realize hope and grace. We break free and fly!
I have come to realize that I have harbored much unforgiveness, reciting in my head words that have hurt and behaviors that have crushed my spirit. Each time I relive those experiences, I strengthen the chains that bind me. I remind myself that some people do not accept me and look down on me. Like a tape recorder playing over and over in my head I hear words that cut, I see situations that destroy my self value. I relive the pain over and over. I refuse to live like this any more. I want to be free to live out all that God has for me. I will no longer allow myself to be held in the bondage of unforgiveness. Yes, I have the choice. I can walk free, or remain entangled.
Today and every day I plan to forgive. No longer will I harbor unforgiveness. I refuse. I choose forgiveness. I no longer feel the need to hold someone accountable for what they have done to me. God is just, He can do that. I wasn't created to carry that burden. I no longer want it. Even now I can feel the chains breaking. I can feel my wings begin to stretch. Yes, I'm taking flight! I am not bound any longer by my unforgiveness. I am only bound by God's grace. Yes, this is where I want to be. This is where I was created to be.
So, are you burdened and heavy hearted? Perhaps there is someone you need to forgive. Perhaps you are living in past hurts. Who are you allowing to hold you in chains because you are angry and hurt? Can you forgive them? Remember, no pain has been caused us greater than the pain our sin has caused our God. He has forgiven us. He even loves and chooses us. Can we forgive knowing that in doing so we are exhibiting the beauty of our Savior? I believe so for at no time do we look more like Him than when we forgive.
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