The Good News!

Hey, everybody! It's been awhile, but this will make it worth the wait.
I just got back from Raleigh last night. I took my daughter, Megan, and my grandaughter, Danielle, up to see my sister and my mom. We had a good time with all of them, as we usually do when we go.
On the drive back home, I did a lot of thinking, which is what a long drive is good for. My life has changed incredibly fast over the past few weeks, and so, my perspective has had to change as well.
I, like so many others, got distracted, from the important things in life. I got caught up in the have to, to survive way of thinking, that most of us still believe in. But, it really isn't how any of us have to live. We have the opportunity to change our old way of thinking, for the generations that follow.
One thing that really came to the forefront, are 2 completely different situations, that are affecting my girls. And how through the "old way," of thinking, always comes back to the mistakes that I made as a parent.
Any parent knows that there is no handbook for raising children, because they are all unique. I know I could sit here and blame my mom for the mistakes that she made too, but I choose to take a different approach.
Instead of blaming her for repeatedly making what I prefer to call, errors in judgement, I choose to be grateful instead. Grateful for the fact that she was always there to make a choice.
She never gave up on us, especially me, when things got really bad. Her love never waivered, her faith never stopped, and in the end, she may not have approved of our decisions, but she understood.
She never gave up and walked away, and she will be 75 years old, in a few weeks, and she still hasn't given up. She still doesn't judge, criticize, or hold a grudge, for the choices we are now making as adults. She is my biggest fan, and my best friend. And every time I go to see her, I make it a point to tell her, that she was and is a good mother, and that I know she did the best with what she had.
So if you are critical and have any bad feelings towards either one of your parents, especially your mother, maybe you need to look at it from a different perspective. Parents may not make what we think would be the best choices, but the ones that they did make, were never made to intentionally hurt us. Most parents would do anything to keep their children from harm. Unfortunately, nobody is perfect, so the best of intentions are sometimes wrong.
To live, we absolutely, must forgive! We are hurting no one but ourselves, if we don't. The past has to be put where it belongs, and left there. It is part of our lives that cannot ever be changed, but can be learned from. It can be a useful tool, to not make the same mistakes, over and over again.
If you don't like your life, then only you can change it! It's not your parents fault that you are an addict, your depressed, or angry. Get alone and get with God. He will always be there to show you what it is that you need to forgive, or simply let go of.
Here is a quote from Guy Finley, who is an author I love!
" The first serving of any punishing wish or act towards another always goes to the one who dishes it out."
Wow! If that doesn't sum it all up, I don't know what does.
Let go of whatever it is that is holding you back from getting on with your life, and receiving Gods' goodness. The only one stopping you, is YOU! It's time to grow up, take accountability, and live the way God wants us to. Live a good life, help others, and pray everyday.
Life is awesome, once you look at with a clear mind and soul.
All of you are always in my prayers, but you have to first be in yours.
I will be posting more often from now on, and I sure would like to see some more followers. If you have any stories about Gods' work in your own life, please share them with me.
I will be talking to you all soon!