Things I Wish I Had
Sometimes, I wake up in my bed and look around my room. There’s my high school diploma and a few things from my childhood, but nothing major. It doesn’t take a while to remind myself that I am an adult. It’s weird to say and weirder to write; I don’t know if I’m alone here on that.
As I look back on my childhood, I could say that I had a good one. I was bullied and the occasional problem here and there, but it was nothing that was huge. As an adult, I now understand how much parents prayed for me when I was a kid and how much of an effect it had on my life. They were both involved in the church and both are still very deep in the faith. For that, I could never thank them enough.
But I wanted more as a kid, and still want more.
As I read my Bible, I will sometimes fall on verses about parenting, even though I am not a parent. I guess I’m learning for a potential future? Some of the verses include Psalm 127:4 “Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one's youth” and Deuteronomy 6:6 - 7, which reads “These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” They’re great verses that I understand now that I’m an adult.
Sometimes, I sit back and wonder what my life would’ve looked like if my parents had sat me and my siblings down regularly to talk about the Bible. Maybe I would be able to remember bible verses better? Maybe I wouldn’t have hidden my sins, but been more willing to talk to them and understand how to avoid them entirely? I could never tell you, but I wish that I had had that connection with them. Therefore, to the parents that sit down with their children to read and understand the Word of the Father together, I applaud you. I congratulate you and encourage you to do so. Through your action, these children receive proper instruction and teaching, which will become graceful garlands and pendants (Proverbs 1:8-9).
What about me now? My parents are alive and we do share the word more regularly now. It’s the routine on Friday nights, when everyone is free, we share the word of the God who gave us His love and Grace. I learned to forgive my parents for all of those nights spent having questions and being forced to answer them myself. I accepted the fact that the past was the past and that I couldn’t change it. It had to be done for me to grow with Christ. But, weirdly enough, me now, wasn't important.
I was graced with the opportunity to get to know the Father for who He is on my own. It was a journey with its ups and downs, but it's mine. I am certainly flawed, but I will try to take what I’ve learned and what my parents taught me for the next generation. I hope to be able to share the word regularly with my kids whenever the day comes; to train them up in the faith (Proverbs 22:6). They’re heritage from the Lord (Psalms 127:3) and should be treated as such.
I hope that my testimony helps you understand how powerful it is to share the word with your family. If you have the opportunity, I pray that you do. Whether it be through articles like these or small sermons that the children prepare once a month; the power of the Word of God can bring families closer to one another and closer to Him.
Sincerely yours, may the Father protect you,
Eli