Lessons Learned (part 1) Yesterday at church, PJ Perry (Andrea Peery) spoke about a song that children learn at our church, Ill Walk With You. (see below) As individuals of all faiths, cultures, and walks of life, whether we believe in a God or not, we need to stand true and try to live up to what we know or feel is right. As we do this, we MUST NOT FORGET to stand with love, charity, and respect for those around us who do not share our same views. As parents, we are obligated to teach our children this VITAL PAIRING of standing tall, while loving, lifting, and serving at the same time. Jesus Christ did this perfectly. With Matthew soon leaving for Rochester, New York to serve a two-year mission for our church, my mind has gone back to many learning experiences with which my children (our whole family) have been blessed throughout our lives. Among these experiences, are those which have taught them that people are not all the same. What we believe and live in our home, may not be the same for some of our extended family or friends. BUT WE STILL LOVE THEM, AND THEY STILL LOVE US. Sometimes, as we stand steadfast and immovable, we teach...but sometimes, we also LEARN if we choose to stand humbly, with respect and charity towards others. EXAMPLE #1- Our Neighbor, Don When Matt and Tracy were ages 2 and 4,we lived in a townhouse in Payson, Ut. We loved our sweet little community of friends with children the same age who went to church with us every Sunday. About a year after we had been living there, a new family moved in one door down. A family with two boys, one Matts exact age. Of course they became friends right away. The dad, Don, was a a guy with big muscles, a shaved head, and some very noticeable tattoos, and quite frequently went around without a shirt. He was a nice guy, pretty talkative to everyone in a boisterous way, whether he knew them or not. Matt played with his new friend at our house, or outside...but the day came when he wanted to go into his FRIENDS house. I am ashamed to say that I was worried about letting him go, simply because of Dons appearance. I managed to skirt around the issue for a few days. Then, one day, while Matt and Tracy were playing in front, there sat Don on his outside stairs, shirt off, tattoos and all. Matt sat down right next to him and said, You know, tattoos are bad. You shouldnt have tattoos. Standing a few steps away, I cringed with embarrassment! Nothing I could possibly say would take those words from Matthews mouth back! While I was trying to figure out how I was going to salve this over with a joke, or something else, I heard Dons voice: Matt, you are exactly right! Tattoos HURT, and they are on your body forever. I dont want to ever see you get a tattoo. I think Matt said something like, ok, and went into their house to play. Don was one of the nicest people I have ever met. He walked with us, he talked with us, as the song says. My children never doubted their values, or what we had taught them, and they learned that they could stay standing while LOVING someone who was different. I dont know where Don is now, and Im not sure if Matt even remembers him. But I believe, as Matts mother, that he had an ever-so-small (but important) role in preparing Matthew for who he was to become. I am thankful we were neighbors. When Jesus Christ lived on the earth, He was perfect. He never varied from the Truth, from the commandments of His Father. He was also perfect in His love and empathy for, service to, and forgiveness and righteous judgments of every person. He hasnt changed. The commandment for each of us to be like Him remains the same. m.youtube/watch?v=umdG-6aGQEc
Posted on: Mon, 14 Jul 2014 21:24:11 +0000
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