The atmosphere in our country at this point in history is getting more and more tragic each day. One need to only watch a few minutes of TV or view one or two posts on Facebook to catch a glimpse of the horrifying events happening all over the world but in our country especially. Our country was founded on the principles of freedom with responsibility and faith in God, family and country. Such principles are hard to find in the news today. Yes, they do still exist but they do not make the news. We, as a people, seem to have given the media the idea we only can find interest in the bizarre and corrupt. And the media responds with what will bring more revenue.
I picked the picture above, I guess for my benefit, to show that I was not raised that way and neither were most of you who are reading this blog. My parents were farmers who made an honest albeit meager living, worshipped every Sunday and raised us to understand that honesty, diligence, love and a good work ethic was what they lived by and taught us kids. The Bible was always available on a shelf just beneath the table top in our kitchen. I still have my Dad's Bible and see his greasy fingerprints on the pages of the Bible. They were not perfect parents but they did what they thought was right. And I know there are still many parents today that have and teach those same virtues, We see those same characteristics in our children as they raise their children. A good heritage.
However, I intentionally missed listing another necessary component of my up bringing. It is the way I was held accountable for what I did and how I was reminded when I didn't live by the principles I were taught. That is discipline. I remember how I was spanked, given less benefits, or even given more duties in order to teach me. My parents knew nothing about psychology so used what nowdays would seem like a harsher discipline. The one thing they knew was that they loved us kids and they wanted us to grow up respecting order, people, life and a relationship to God. We were not entitled kids because the means were not there to make us such but I doubt if they would have raised us that way anyway. They used the Bible as their guide and the Bible uses discipline many times to teach individuals or even nations to obey. Certainly discipline isn't going to solve all the world's problems, but, living respectfully and lovingly certainly would be a plus in the lives of all of us today. The simple Bible based lessons are not obsolete. My husband and I often talk about what we can do as two 80+ year old people to make a difference. We haven't quite solved that yet but we are aware that we are not exempt from making a difference in the arena we live in. It is up to each one of us to address the problem and seek to find our role. Our freedoms are precious and I love the country I live in. God has a plan for each one of us and for the land we live in as well. That is our hope and assurance each day. When Jesus was asked what the most important commandment was he answered, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself' There is no commandment greater than these ". Mark 12:30,31.
God has a plan and He often directs us to help make His plan develop. What is your calling going to be?
Marilyn Rensink email mjrevmom6@aol.com By ordering and reading my book, I've Always Been Rich", you will discover more of the passion I have written about today. Order from Amazon, Barnes or Noble or your local public bookstore
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