First of all, let me just say again THANK YOU for all your prayers concerning my girls and our living arrangements. My gratitude is immeasurable. God bless you all.
Secondly, I am praying for each and every one of you, continually. My prayer list is growing, which is growing my prayer life, and that's a very good thing. The reason I started this blog was to connect with other Christian mothers, especially those with younger children, to encourage them to be more diligent in nurturing their children's spiritual growth, and pretty much to serve as an example of how not to do that. Please don't give complacency even the slightest opening, no matter how discouraging or frustrating your situation. We must always, always cover them in prayer. I realize that many of you do this, some have done so from the beginning, and I'm so grateful for that. For those of you haven't been as diligent, rest assured that I've got you covered, but I urge you to start NOW praying for them and with them. Don't wait for a crisis. I don't mean to get all preachy, and I'm not passing judgement. I live in a glass house, and I dare not throw stones.
Thirdly, the reason for this post is to clarify the previous one. I'm not real good at being serious. You could say I have issues with serious. You could also say I have serious issues. Both would be true. (See?) Anyway, for clarity's sake, I thought I should address a few of my earlier statements. The thing about me being competition for Beth Moore? Beloved, that was meant to be sarcastic. Not that I don't appreciate the votes of confidence. Oh I do. Yes, ma'am. And the commands I gave my daughter to "get to squeezin' out some fruit" and to "get godly in a hurry", while said in all seriousness to her, struck me as rather absurd upon reflection. A girlfriend at work and I giggled over it when I related the conversation to her. My attempt at levity didn't translate as well to the blog, but that's ok. You all are aware of my heart's desire, and your encouragement and support far outweighs a few laughs. You can't know how deeply grateful I am for all of you.
I am in agreement with Grafted Branch, who pointed out that my requirement of my daughter to squeeze out some fruit is impossible for her to do (of her own ability). I also agree with her statement that I can't beat her over the head with it if she isn't born-again. She's absolutely right. And I am humbled by her willingness to call me on it. I appreciate the candor and grace with which she approached the issue, and I hope that I would be bold enough to do the same. We are, after all, supposed to hold each other accountable, are we not? I admire her for the wonderful example she is.
The good news is that both my daughters are born-again. The bad news is that they're prodigals. Which brings me to Diane(Praying for your Prodigal)'s comment that I've put the enemy on notice. As that was my intention, I feel confident that she's also correct. I've asked the Lord to guide me in my discussions with the girls and to give me words to say that they would comprehend. I may not have phrased them the way He intended, but I do know that they understood. That was confirmed in the conversation I had with each of them today.
Since I'm not easily offended, I tend to shoot off at the mouth, or fingers as it were, without stopping to consider whether something I've said could be taken in a way other than it was meant. A good rule of thumb to follow, at least with me, is to think "warped with a weird sense of humor", but if ever I do offend (or confuse) you, please know that it isn't intentional. I welcome feedback, especially if I've misspoken, so long as the aforementioned example is followed.
Well, I didn't intend to blog a novel, but I did want to clear that up.
Blessings!
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14 comments:
I hope I can offer some encouragement. I was saved as a child, had my moments in my teens, then college came and I decided I didn't need church anymore. This continued into my early married years. Thankfully, God was patient and now my husband and I are seeking God's Will, going to church, and raising our child in a Christian home. I have found that some of the most dedicated Christians were once "prodigals." That spirit of rebellion turns into a spirit of fierce commitment to Truth! So, keep praying, keep being a wonderful witness, and your daughters will come around with God's help! ;>)
That was sweet of you to clarify. I was worried that I was going to be skewered! lol.
From the minute I read the comments in the previous post, I've been worried you were upset. So I'm relieved to read this one. I think you have things in the right perspective. But you must keep us posted on how things progress with your girls. xoxoxo
Hey - I haven't read the comments for the previous post since I commented - but I totally got you the first time. Fellow warped minds think alike, I reckon. :-)
And ditto what Melanie said. Me, too.
Thanks for stopping by! It cracks me up that everyone thinks it's so great that my dad went jet-skiing. None of his children was happy about it, but it turned out okay, so all is well!
I don't know who Beth is but all I do know is it takes lots of patience to parent and nobody has it right. We do the best we can with the equipment God's given us for our family. I'm sure you are doing a great job!
I think it is George Eliott who said something like "a friend is someone who listens then blows away the chaff, and doesnt require you to weigh words too much" a loose translation but you get the gest of it. Its way too much work to have to weigh every word we speak, or type for that matter. xoxoxo
Oh -- I don't think you're weighing your words too heavily; I think you're very politely trying to tell us all that we missed the sarcasm in "Ultimatum." Because we did. :)
One thing you always have to be on the lookout for from Brenda is sarcasm. She's just an absolute expert at it and it's the reason I come back to her blog over and over and over. Should have been a Blogs of Beauty award for most sarcastic. Or quickest comeback. Half my time in front of Rocking Chairs and Rainbows is spent guffawing.
Hi Brenda. xoxoxoxo
First, thanks for stopping by my blog. Feel free to strike up your own friendship with Tassimo. You won't be sorry.
Second, good job with the clearing up, though I wasn't confused for a moment. Perhaps it is because sarcasm is among the many services that I offer...
I am finding it more and more necessary to get out of the way between my kids and God, telling them to seek Him and then report back to me what they've discerned. It has been a growing process for all of us.
I think I'll blog about a recent episode...just so I can look back on it later and remember.
<><
I understand about the shooting off at the mouth. I tend to apologize a lot if I even think I might have offended.
So, you are in good company. Yeah, that would be me! Hee Hee!
I'm not sure about The Etiquette of Double Commenting, so if you must throw darts, could they have little colored marshmallows on the ends?
I feel I should own the "comment deleted", and just admit that I accidentally posted the same comment twice. Unfortunately, like the rest of my sins, there remains a trace for all to see.
So there. It was me.
I have so much respect for your no-nonsense approach to raising your girls, and am very impressed with your ability to keep a sense of humor throughout it all! And, Beloved (that was great, by the way), I do think that Beth Moore would be impressed!
PS. The dogma comment was priceless- made me laugh!
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