A letter to my kids..about their faith.
To my two precious children,
I thought I'd take a moment to write you a letter about your faith because lets face it, life will happen, people get sick, friends will betray you, people will choose to leave you instead of work things out..and it may even be you that betrays or leaves. In those moments you'll be left to wonder if God is real and whether he cares. And sometimes you may even be angry at him for being silent in a time when you felt you needed him the most.
Please take courage. He is active and alive whether you feel him or not. Just as the air around you is there whether you feel it or not.
At another point you may find yourself at a crossroad where one of your High School science teachers or college Professors (who will be undeniably brilliant) will tell you that the very existence of God is a myth and that things can be rationalized down to a molecule.
I challenge you to remember that people will always have questions that will remained unanswered whether they believe in God or not.
Also, I challenge you to remember that the very God you want to define was, and is and will always will be working on his time and in his own way.
He can stop time at any place and at any moment because he controls time. So don't let the idea that he can't possibly respond to yours prayers because of the zillions of people who are praying at the same time. Prayer is your most powerful resource, but please remember that it's a relationship you are to have with him. This is not a business deal to get into heaven but a close relationship as a Father has with their children.
I don't pretend to understand his sovereignty. It makes me teary eyed to wonder why he does what he does and the way pain and suffering work. But remember he didn't spare his son, Jesus, from pain and suffering, either. And somehow through the his suffering on the cross, christianity was spread all around the world.
I cannot explain to you the stories I've heard from people who have been changed by Jesus. These are the stories that never go noticed in mainstream media. I can only tell you that in every generation there have been solid christians who have dedicated their lives to help people who are going through painful moments in life.
That brings me to another point. You may be hurt by someone in the church. Remember though, that the church is filled with sinners..whether they want to admit it or not..they, too..are saved by grace, and they have bad moments and make bad decisions, too. In those moments you'll be tempted to believe that because they misbehaved badly, that God must not love you.
This is not true.
People in the church may hurt, but God will always redeem you and make things right. He has existed to help you be separated from your shame. He will accomplish his task whether someone hurts you in the church or not.
He is bigger than you can ever imagine.
He will never, ever leave you or forsake you.
The American church is not his only love. He has a love for people all over the world. He speaks all languages, and often times will allow cultural practices to occur, because his main goal is to let people know he loves them and forgives them.
He wants the best possible life for you and just as a stop sign is there to protect and guide you, he is also there with guidelines to help you stay within the margins of a better life.
He has a life for you, whether it includes a life of marriage and children, or a life of being single to serve him better.
You were also created to worship. You recognize this when you hear a song that speaks to you..whether it's in church or not. You worship the idea or the thoughts of another individual because they write from their hearts. If you worship anything, let it not be man, but let it be the one who created you to worship HIM.
Whatever you do, don't fall into the trap of worshipping yourself.
I know this is very small advice from a mother who often times gets it wrong.
But, if I could tell you anything, it is that you are loved unconditionally by me and your Dad and that we are here to help you with the hard choices, if you let us.
We are always proud of you and we are absolutely for you.
I hope and pray you'll have questions and that you will always ask them freely. We probably won't be able to answer most of them. But there are books and resources to everything you are looking for. You are incredibly loved..and remember your parents make mistakes, too!!
I thought I'd take a moment to write you a letter about your faith because lets face it, life will happen, people get sick, friends will betray you, people will choose to leave you instead of work things out..and it may even be you that betrays or leaves. In those moments you'll be left to wonder if God is real and whether he cares. And sometimes you may even be angry at him for being silent in a time when you felt you needed him the most.
Please take courage. He is active and alive whether you feel him or not. Just as the air around you is there whether you feel it or not.
At another point you may find yourself at a crossroad where one of your High School science teachers or college Professors (who will be undeniably brilliant) will tell you that the very existence of God is a myth and that things can be rationalized down to a molecule.
I challenge you to remember that people will always have questions that will remained unanswered whether they believe in God or not.
Also, I challenge you to remember that the very God you want to define was, and is and will always will be working on his time and in his own way.
He can stop time at any place and at any moment because he controls time. So don't let the idea that he can't possibly respond to yours prayers because of the zillions of people who are praying at the same time. Prayer is your most powerful resource, but please remember that it's a relationship you are to have with him. This is not a business deal to get into heaven but a close relationship as a Father has with their children.
I don't pretend to understand his sovereignty. It makes me teary eyed to wonder why he does what he does and the way pain and suffering work. But remember he didn't spare his son, Jesus, from pain and suffering, either. And somehow through the his suffering on the cross, christianity was spread all around the world.
I cannot explain to you the stories I've heard from people who have been changed by Jesus. These are the stories that never go noticed in mainstream media. I can only tell you that in every generation there have been solid christians who have dedicated their lives to help people who are going through painful moments in life.
That brings me to another point. You may be hurt by someone in the church. Remember though, that the church is filled with sinners..whether they want to admit it or not..they, too..are saved by grace, and they have bad moments and make bad decisions, too. In those moments you'll be tempted to believe that because they misbehaved badly, that God must not love you.
This is not true.
People in the church may hurt, but God will always redeem you and make things right. He has existed to help you be separated from your shame. He will accomplish his task whether someone hurts you in the church or not.
He is bigger than you can ever imagine.
He will never, ever leave you or forsake you.
The American church is not his only love. He has a love for people all over the world. He speaks all languages, and often times will allow cultural practices to occur, because his main goal is to let people know he loves them and forgives them.
He wants the best possible life for you and just as a stop sign is there to protect and guide you, he is also there with guidelines to help you stay within the margins of a better life.
He has a life for you, whether it includes a life of marriage and children, or a life of being single to serve him better.
You were also created to worship. You recognize this when you hear a song that speaks to you..whether it's in church or not. You worship the idea or the thoughts of another individual because they write from their hearts. If you worship anything, let it not be man, but let it be the one who created you to worship HIM.
Whatever you do, don't fall into the trap of worshipping yourself.
I know this is very small advice from a mother who often times gets it wrong.
But, if I could tell you anything, it is that you are loved unconditionally by me and your Dad and that we are here to help you with the hard choices, if you let us.
We are always proud of you and we are absolutely for you.
I hope and pray you'll have questions and that you will always ask them freely. We probably won't be able to answer most of them. But there are books and resources to everything you are looking for. You are incredibly loved..and remember your parents make mistakes, too!!
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