***
A note to be read by my children when they are a bit older
Dear
Sprout and Bean,
As
a grown woman, I can easily reflect upon the pressures and challenges that I
have faced in my life. Within the core of each of us, we have a desire to
belong and to be loved. However, I learned quickly (and sadly, you have
probably learned this already) that there will be those whom do not care for
you ... and there will even be some whom detest the inner fibers and moral
convictions that make you who you are. I am an adult now and although this
reality is still hurtful, it has lost some of its sting. Unfortunately, that
sting has been replaced with a greater pain ... and that is the knowledge that
you are growing up in a world that is much harsher than the one that I
experienced when I was a child.
America
was founded as a Christian nation. I believe that as a result of this, our
nation has been blessed. The United States, a relatively new country, has risen
to be a world power. However, the truths that this nation was founded upon are
now being trodden underfoot. Citizens want to take "One nation, under God"
out of our pledge and "In God we trust" off of our currency.
Congressional prayers no longer can mention the name Jesus. School children are
being taught theories and the truth has been dismissed as folklore. The once
high-esteemed principles that were so dear to our hearts are being attacked and
those who strive to uphold them are being called bigots and haters.
Recently,
a Christian named Dan Cathy was interviewed. He started the Chick-Fil-A
restaurant chain. When asked if he supported gay marriage, he replied that he
did not and that he believed that marriage should be between a man and a woman.
As a result of his proclamation of the Truth, he has been unjustly labeled as a
hater and a discriminator. The mayors of Boston and Chicago have threatened to
remove the restaurants from their cities. Masses have accused him of hatred and
of infringing upon the civil rights of citizens. The fact that his restaurant
does not discriminate against its employees or its clientele has been
intentionally ignored.
It
breaks my heart that the mainstream media is equating Christianity to a cult
characterized by hatred. In fact, nothing could be farther from the truth. Jesus
says that you will know a Christian by the love that he shows others. John 13:34-35 states, “…Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one
another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if
you love one another.” One of my
favorite pastors says it so simply, “Love the sinner – not the sin.” Christianity is NOT about hating anyone.
We love people of all nationalities, creeds, and orientations. We believe that God knows what is best for all people and therefore we must obey
Him.
We
are all born as sinners and sometimes it is difficult to be obedient. Every single person has a hard time with sin –
Your struggles may be different than mine … but they are struggles nonetheless. Some people have a hard time with
gossip. Others may have issues with lust
or gluttony or sex before marriage or drunkenness or corrupt language,
etc. Whatever your issue may be, God will help you to overcome your area of
difficulty! Call on Him, listen to Him,
read His word, and follow the path He lays out for you. As missionary Jim Elliot so aptly stated, “I
may no longer depend on pleasant impulses to bring me before the Lord. I must
rather respond to principles I know to be right, whether I feel them to be
enjoyable or not.” Remember, when you
are a Christian, you are still a sinner … and you will still have sin in your
life; the difference is that you will not
want to sin anymore. “Most laws
condemn the soul and pronounce the sentence. The result of the law of my God is
perfect. It condemns but forgives. It restores - more than abundantly - what it
takes away” (Jim Elliot).
Anyway, I know that I may sound like I am rambling,
but I am just so saddened that Christianity is so misunderstood. Just remember Christ is love. You will understand this more when you are a
daddy or a mommy. No matter what your
kids do and no matter what choices they make, you will always love them. With that
being said, you will be praying with all of your heart and might that they make
the right choices throughout their lives because you want what is best for them. Jeremiah 29:11 sums it up perfectly: “For I know the plans I have for you,”
declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you
hope and a future.”
Love always,
Mommy
