I Believe

According to research, people benefit when their positive emotions outnumber negative ones by three to one. All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching the truth, rebuking error, correcting faults, and giving instruction for right living, so that the person who serves God may be fully qualified and equipped to do every kind of good work. An important step in a young person’s life is when he or she changes from parental dependence to Godly dependence. This point in one’s journey of life will vary from person to person. Blessings may be in plain sight or hidden behind clouds of anxiety and despair, but they are always part of our lives. Change occurs from the bottom up. It takes concerned, inspired, and dedicated individuals to make it happen.

Gardening has social and mental health benefits as well as fresh air and bright skies; it also provides good exercise. God’s healing love is the balm that eases the pain of life’s hurts and gives a joy and purpose we could never have without Him. History is filled with great civilizations that have come and gone. They all experienced more decay from within. If painful recollections of the past or frightening thoughts of the future come to mind, we can put them away.

In raising children, like everything else, what we do speaks so much louder than what we say. The challenge is to narrow the gap between word and deed. Obedience acknowledges that we serve a higher power than ourselves. At times, we do not ask for guidance because we think that we know the answer. Only after we look back on our lives, do we realize how much time, effort, and worry we devoted to things, situations, and circumstances that are out of our hands. The problems of life may distress our hearts, but the power of God is bigger than any storm we may encounter.

Self-reflection is always a good exercise. What I believe is a work in progress, not limited to these statements and subject to change. What do YOU believe?