Significant Encounters – Valuable

I was talking to a friend today about her recent visit to Aldis.

She was telling how the last time she was there; there was this mom with two teen daughters in tow.

Down every aisle, this mom was demeaning her daughters. Saying rude things about them, loudly.

Their eyes were downcast to the floor for the entire visit, and at the checkout, the berating was still alive and well, and the daughters were completely tuned out. Vacant eyes, unhearing ears, they have heard it all before.

My friend and I noted that if this is how they behave in public, then imagining a life for them at home is far from where our brains could even take us.

Here’s the concern; if this is what these two lovely daughters hear from the one who is supposed to love them the most, and protect them from evil, then whenever a boy comes along and says they are lovely, they will buy it.

They NEED to hear it. They will give away ANYTHING to hear it.

Moms! Beware! Be aware that you are poisoning your children. Your behavior is toxic, and sending them into the arms of evil – wherever they can FEEL loved.

How do I know? Because I was that daughter, the one who never heard the words she needed to hear. For me, it was not my mother, it was my father. He caused so much shame in me by the words he used, that I of course gravitated towards anyone who would just “Talk nice to me”.

Moms! I’m not getting on your cases. I’m pointing out a destructive behavior.       I know you love your daughters (and sons) However we are products of our environments.

There is no way you, specifically you, can teach or treat your children any other way than the way you were taught.

Oh wait! There is one way. Just one. HE is a person. He is THE Way.

I will be forever grateful that God, the Creator of the Universe, sent people across my path with a different way of doing things, a different way to be, and an actual set of steps I could take to be released from my prison.

He sent His one and only son Jesus to absorb all that evil that was tossed in my direction, for the most part, unwittingly by those who did not know any better either!

Here is what scripture says;

Matthew 12:34_b (CEV) so how can you say anything good? Your words show what is in your hearts.

If you have never been taught differently, how can you ever know the difference?

2 Corinthians 5:17 (CEV) Anyone who belongs to Christ is a new person. The past is forgotten, and everything is new.

When I acknowledged what Christ did for me that day so long ago, giving His own HOLY life, so that I might be saved from my own yucky one, He was then able to come alongside of me, and help me to transition into a healthier, more joyful and fulfilling life.

Please note; He will not come in uninvited. He is ever a gentleman, and will not encroach where He is not wanted. He is definitely “Invitation Only”.

Colossians 3:6-8 (CEV)  God is angry with people who disobey him by doing these things.  7 And that is exactly what you did, when you lived among people who behaved in this way.  8 But now you must stop doing such things. You must quit being angry, hateful, and evil. You must no longer say insulting or cruel things about others.

These words are from the Bible they are in direct contrast to how our society operates today. Our culture is one who thinks of themselves first and someone else second, if they think of them at all. In God’s culture, He only wants the best for us, all of us, but there is one requirement, and that is that in order for His culture to be in force, you must choose it. Choose it of your own free will. If He forced you, you would then be a slave of a different kind.

Isaiah 55:8 (CEV) The Lord says: “My thoughts and my ways are not like yours.

However;

2 Corinthians 10:5 (CEV) and every bit of pride that keeps anyone from knowing God. We capture people’s thoughts and make them obey Christ.

We CAN change the way we think. We CAN make our thoughts more like His.

How you ask?

Four things that will help;

1.       Ask God to help you. He loves to answer this prayer! His desire is or you! His desire is to love on you like you have never been loved before! He only wants your heart!

2.       Find a local Bible believing church with smallish groups of people who are willing to walk by your side. (Ask the Pastor there, he can help you)

3.       Get a Bible. Your Christian bookstore person can help you find the one that is right for you. If you cannot afford one, ask that Pastor for one!

4.       Read that Bible! Just a little at a time. Beginning in Psalms and Proverbs in the Old Testament, and the book of John in the New Testament (This will tell you about the life of Jesus – Use the table of contents, it’s ok)

This will be the most Significant Encounter of your life!

God values you, your children and your life, more than words can say.

You are fearfully and wonderfully made.