IT TAKES A VILLAGE

Well hello! As you can see I started this blog long ago when blogs started becoming so popular. I mainly did it "just because" and had no intention of EVER sharing any of these with ANYONE (except my momma & my sis)! However, there doesn't ever seem to be a day when I am not looking for some good, wholesome, godly advise & opinions on raising children (more specifically - A TEENAGER!) or career moves, or training out-of-sorts German Shepherd's, or decorating tips, or, or, or...the list goes on. So I have now decided to share my thoughts & opinions and hope that you will do the same!

If you know my dear friend Angel and you read her blogs please take into consideration that I AM NOT ANGEL! That girl has a way about writing that will have you laughing so hard you're on the verge of peeing your pants to then crying like a baby all in about 30 seconds. For that very reason, among others, I call her my Steel Magnolia. (Bet you didn't know that did you, girl?) Remember when you watched that the first time and started bawling so hard you couldn't catch your breath when Shelby died and then laughed so hard you still couldn't catch your breath when Clairie tried to get M'lyn to "take a whack at Wheezer!" Angel does the exact same thing to you (with correct spelling & punctuation, too)!!

Me...not so much! I'm not the blogging/writing genius my Steel Magnolia is nor am i a grammatical & spelling genius. If I think a comma belongs there then I will put it there and spellcheck was invented for a reason...to be used! So, if you're looking for a well layed out, grammatically correct, with no spelling errors kind of blog you might want to skip this one.

I mainly just want your feedback on your experiences and your thoughts on issues that I or friends of mine may be dealing with. When I say "issues," I mean this thing we call LIFE! I must admit that I may also just need to vent from time to time and who better to vent to then the world. Well, my world of friends! :)

I hope that you will feel free to post your truths and maybe even get a little something out of this blog wannabe as well. So in the words of Beth Moore, "Let's just do the thang!"

Here we go...I posted on facebook this morning a scripture that has been on my mind for several months. The scripture was Matthew 19:13-15 when Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” The reason that I've thought about it so much is because I've witnessed on several occasions adults leading young minds astray. Are they doing it on purpose? I hope not. Are they aware they are doing it? How could they not be??? To me the scripture is very cut and dry. I don't think you can take "do not hinder them" too much out of context. I've also been drawn to:

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
Ephesians 6:1-3

or how about

Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.
Colossians 3:19-21

or

This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands.
1 John 5:1-3

Obviously I could go on and on, but I'm sure you get the picture. Here's why I bring this up. A parent recently told a child "no." I know, dreadful isn't it! In this instance the parent said no because they truly felt it was in that childs best interest. Later on, an adult (non-parent of the child) has said yes to the child in regards to the same situation KNOWING the parent disagrees. Now, wouldn't that person logically & biblically be encouraging the child to go against God's very own commandment to honor thy father and thy mother which in turn would be hindering that child's walk with Christ??? I'm literally asking the question here. To me, this is encouraging a child to not only go against their parent's wishes, but in doing so encouraging the child to disregard a commandment. Plain and simple. How could you not expect to have severe consequences from our God! Am I wrong?? Am I misinterpretting the scripture?? Anyone? Anyone?

I don't think I am and here's why. After posting that on facebook I received texts messages and phone calls out the wazoo! Let me add that they were not opposing my comment. I got alot of "AMENS" and alot of "what's going on and how can we help" comments. I have great family & friends by the way!! Y'all ROCK!! However, if someone out there does have another opinion I ask that you share. Part of me doing this is to learn and grow. I want to be able to be well rounded and see the Word of God for ALL that it has to offer me. My ultimate goal is to be the best parent to the one and only child God has blessed me with. I don't want to get to the end of his teen years and wonder if I could have layed a better foundation. I want his foundation to be solid and the one way for that to happen is to see it from all angles. So please, by all means, share your thoughts.

I've been a parent for 16 years now and have spent a good part of these 16 years in constant communication with God, as I'm sure all you parents have. In fact, if you pull up next to me at a stop light and see my lips moving I might be singing, but chances are I'm having myself a conversation with the Man! Just smile and nod and I'll wave! I am so thankful that He gave his precious angel to me to raise on this earth, but sometimes don't understand how He thought I would be the best person to raise such an amazing human being. Despite all my parenting screw ups he is a great kid!! The reason he is such an amazing kid is because of my village!! Now, I don't want to get all political here, but I will say that the only thing I have agreed with Hillary on is that IT TAKES A VILLAGE! This raising kids thing is hard! Angel, if you're reading DO NOT be discouraged! You are awesome and are going to be an awesome mother!! Trust me and TRUST HIM!! But, it does take a village. My village consists of my God, my parents, my sister & brother in law, my extended family, and ALL the people who have been these wonderful influences in Colton's life. God has seen fit to place people in his life that have his best interest at heart...and mine too!! He's had coaches who have remained close since he was 5 years old. Randy, David, Richard, Johnny, Frank...the list goes on and on and EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THESE MEN ARE STILL INVOLVED IN MY KIDS LIFE AND SO ARE THEIR PRECIOUS WIVES!! That's a dang good village!!! Our Pampa friends who check on him and support both of us in what we do daily. THEY ARE OUR VILLAGE!! None of these people would EVER, EVER consider doing or saying anything that went against my teachings and guidance. We are truly blessed and I am thankful every day that God cares so much about us to put such amazing people in our lives!

I guess that the point I'd like and hope to be making is that everything we say and do has an influence on someone. If you are in a position where you may be influencing a small child or young adult make sure you are leading them down their chosen path and not HINDERING them by guiding the down your own path. Communicate with their parents and abide by their parents wishes and boundaries. Like I said in my fb post, I know as a parent that I make mistakes...DAILY, but God will reveal to me what needs to be revealed and He will grant me and my child the grace we need to make it through in spite of those mistakes. You never know whose village you may be a part of. Take the role seriously! It's not only a big deal, but it's an honor!!