Three things my parents did right
Et tu? is hosting a group writing project on the topic "What are three things your parents did right?" Although I'm not interested in winning the prize, I was glad to be stimulated to thinking about what exactly I'm thankful my parents did, and narrowing it down to just three.
1. They faithfully taught me and my brother the gospel of Christ. Day in and day out, conversations in our home and actions were laced with Scripture, with reminders of what God requires, and why. We had daily family devotions and prayer from the time we were tiny toddlers, through college, as long as we lived at home. We had a firm foundation of "how" and "why" Christianity long before we became believers.
2. They lived their faith in every moment of every day, with every action, even when only their children could see and hear them. Every thought was "What can we do for someone else?" They took us along when one of them took a cake or a meal to a widow, or single mother. They took us to visit those in hospitals, those in nursing homes, those ill at home. They showed us what compassion and caring for others can look like lived out in practical ways. And at home, they were courteous and loving to one another and to us, and when they sinned against us, they apologized, and admitted they were wrong. And when we sinned, they forgave quickly, and immediately - and didn't bring it up again.
3. They never gossiped about anyone. They still don't. If they didn't have a kind word to say, then they said nothing. And they didn't ever speculate about motives or other unknowns, even when they were slandered or were the subject of the gossip of others. They gave us a great model for "seeking the other's well-being" (I Corinthians 10:24), and how to "be kindly affectionate to one another in brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another" (Romans 12:10)
And honestly, I think that both of them had the same things modeled for them by their parents, from what I know and remember of my grandparents... .
1. They faithfully taught me and my brother the gospel of Christ. Day in and day out, conversations in our home and actions were laced with Scripture, with reminders of what God requires, and why. We had daily family devotions and prayer from the time we were tiny toddlers, through college, as long as we lived at home. We had a firm foundation of "how" and "why" Christianity long before we became believers.
2. They lived their faith in every moment of every day, with every action, even when only their children could see and hear them. Every thought was "What can we do for someone else?" They took us along when one of them took a cake or a meal to a widow, or single mother. They took us to visit those in hospitals, those in nursing homes, those ill at home. They showed us what compassion and caring for others can look like lived out in practical ways. And at home, they were courteous and loving to one another and to us, and when they sinned against us, they apologized, and admitted they were wrong. And when we sinned, they forgave quickly, and immediately - and didn't bring it up again.
3. They never gossiped about anyone. They still don't. If they didn't have a kind word to say, then they said nothing. And they didn't ever speculate about motives or other unknowns, even when they were slandered or were the subject of the gossip of others. They gave us a great model for "seeking the other's well-being" (I Corinthians 10:24), and how to "be kindly affectionate to one another in brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another" (Romans 12:10)
And honestly, I think that both of them had the same things modeled for them by their parents, from what I know and remember of my grandparents... .
Labels: Christianity, family
posted by Laura at
10:37 AM
5 Comments:
They sound wonderful. No wonder you are such a dear woman. You have been taught well. What a glorious heritage.
Oh my gosh! What amazing people. I am so impressed. If I can be 1/10th of the Christian your parents were, my children will be all set. :)
What a blessing!
This is so beautiful and amazing! What a grace (and discipline) it must be to never gossip.
That is so nice, Laura. A wonderful tribute to your parents and grandparents.
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