Presenting ...
... a weekly letter of encouragement.
13 November, 1996 - Singapore
Good Morning!
"IF ONLY I HAD BEEN KINDER TO YOUR MOTHER AND HAD
SPENT MORE TIME WITH YOU CHILDREN"
So said the aging father of a close friend of mine during a recent
family visit. How tragic, to be living the latter years of life
plagued with regret; plagued by the "IF ONLY'S"
of the past.
Tell me, are you viewed by your family as:
BRITTLE - "I really can't do it like
that!"
SELFISH? - "I don't have time."
CENSORIOUS? - "How could you
do such a thing?"
BITTER? - "I may forgive...but I can
never forget!"
Or as:
BENDING?... "Why don't we do it your
way?"
MAGNANIMOUS?..."Let's do whatever will
help you the most."
COMPLIMENTARY?..."I am proud
of you."
FORGIVING?..."Ah...forget it...It's
OK. No problem."
Is it not true that the validity of our Christian experience is
forged, tested, and revealed within the confines
of intimate family relationships as in no other arena?
Children still have a choice as to whether they
will follow Christ or not, as rebellion is often expressed
among the progeny of the finest of parents. (Adam and Eve had
perfect "parents" and still chose to rebel.)
Yet our goal must be to reflect Christ to our family in
such a way that whatever their choice, at
least our conscience is clear on how we related to them.
Could we not seek to mirror Paul's achievement:
"My brothers, I have fulfilled
my duty to God in all good conscience to this day."
(Acts 23:1b)
So, tell me: Are you BRITTLE, SELFISH, CENSORIOUS,
or BITTER toward your family? If you are, then you
too may be plagued in your latter years by the "IF
ONLY'S" of the past.
If, however you are BENDING, MAGNANIMOUS, COMPLIMENTARY,
and FORGIVING, you may well anticipate fond memories
and mutual affirmation in the latter years.
My prayer is that you are having a great week!
Dwight Hill
© Copyright 1996 Dwight Hill. Unlimited permission to copy or use is hereby granted subject to inclusion of this copyright notice.
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