Monday, December 10, 2018

Evergreen Devotions December 10

Yesterday, at the church potluck, I visited a young couple about

the agonizing decision as a Christian where to send your child to

school.  A point I made was involved parents have more positive

affect, than all the negative ones in the school.  Karen Carnahan

affirmed this and sent me a great read, I wish to share with you.

"The death of George HW Bush has caused me to reflect on what

really matters to my children and others at the end of life.  As I

was watching the eulogy given by his son George W Bush, I made

a mental note of what actually mattered to George W at the end

of his father’s life and what things had made him a better, well-

adjusted adult.

His father played games with them, had fun with them, had

family dinners with them, and showed them integrity and love

for others.  But the thing that seemed to leave the biggest

impression on George W was that he loved their mother fiercely.

Perhaps it was because George HW lost a child, that his family

values were so on point.

In the eulogy George W didn’t mention once that his parents

made sure he had organic food his whole life, or had Pinterest

worthy birthday parties, or the perfect monogrammed matching

outfits with his siblings. He didn’t mention that his parents made

sure their week was planned with playdates and millions of

extracurricular activities.  He reflected over and over again

about how much his dad loved and was dedicated to his mother.

I worry that we get so caught up in the minor things that we

forget the major thing which is teaching our kids what

unconditional love and loyalty looks like.

As a counselor, I see so many marriages falling apart and so

much strife and discontentment in life occurring because so

much time and attention is spent on the minor things.  The

results of this are broken marriages, discontentment, lack of self-

esteem, anger, addiction, depression, anxiety, and in some cases

suicide.  All of the resources given to the minor things in turn

cause the major things to fall apart.

Feeling secure in a family will have more of a long term effect on

the well-being of a person than any of the minor stuff so much of

our time and effort is spent on.  We say our value is family, but

our actions show something completely different."  (https://refuge.church/2018/12/07/the-major-thing/?fbclid=IwAR0Sj1rpxx21n-4Z7L7hXdSdFu6XAFjbnj1UV8cqnXHJdDKvdoGjjKX8AOw)

There is a place for everyone in God's family.  I have a sneaking

suspicion you know someone this Christmas season who feels

like a nobody!  Who feels beyond redemption.  You know what

they need a hug, a family, and a friend.  Will you be that friend?

They probably would not vocalize it but on their Christmas list

they want to be loved and to love.  They want to be noticed. They

want someone to listen.  They need someone to love them.  To

invite them to our xmas eve service.  Meet that need because of

what God has done for you!

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