Saved,,Single,,and Still Waiting On God? / A Woman's Perspective

I was shopping a few weeks ago in one of my favorite stores.  I shop there often enough for this particular sales person to recognize me when I enter the store. During the course of our conversation, she asked how my day was going. I answered by saying that I had just taken myself to a very nice lunch, and was now finishing my special day with a quick purchase for myself.

She surprised me by stating how much she would love to have the nerve to go to a restaurant alone to have a meal. I knew from an earlier conversation that this attractive, well dressed woman was my age. As I looked closer, I realized that she felt pretty strongly about this topic. She went on to say that she had been divorced over 20 years and she felt there was a stigma attached to a woman dining alone.

In the short time available, I encouraged her to start with breakfast, and slowly work her way up to dinner in a fine restaurant,,alone.

On the drive home, I flashed back to the first time I put on one of my favorite outfits; including sexy shoes,, and accessories, and took myself to dinner. On my way, I stopped by the bookstore and purchased a new book. I did not open the book, but I did take out my always present pad and pen to jot down a few story ideas.
Any looks that came my way, I assumed were because I looked, well,,,lovely.
The evening was very enjoyable.

The period of time that a woman is single can be one of the most meaningful times in her life.
A woman can choose just how she wants to spend this time.

She must first accept that she is at this point in her life,, for a reason....not as punishment.
She will have to trust God enough to seek contentment,,, where she is.
 It is not easy to be alone,,,there,, I said it again, and it is not a dirty word.
It is not a word that should bring feelings of disappointment and grief.

Real sadness is to be married,,and alone.

A time of singleness is a time to focus on the person you are, or perhaps the person you want to be.
Use this time to fully accept and understand that you are a whole person....just as you are.
Strive to make that person better,,,for God's purpose.

Again, it is not easy living in a society where being a real woman, means being a part of a couple.
A woman will often find herself feeling the need to justify why she is not married or in a committed relationship.
*Relationships and marriage demand hard work. Other women will sometimes try to build themselves up by constantly telling other women how great their marriage is.
 Remember,,,women who do have great marriages rarely feel the need to,,,,brag about it. It is what it is.


Even a confident, well established, successful woman can feel societal pressure that will threaten the core of who she is.

Take all of your feelings straight to God.
He understands and knows,,all there is to know about you

Use this time to fine tune your passions.
It is through your passions that you will find your purpose.(s)

Take the time to study God's word, in order to learn more about Him, and what He expects from you.

Fall deeply and unconditionally in love with yourself..
Only then will you recognize genuine love,,,when He finds you.

God will only provide the very best for his children..
Put away your calendar and wait patiently for Him to do just that.

Ask God for the desires of your heart..
Trust the fact that He loves you enough to always answer your prayers..
At just the right time..
In just the right way..
All,,according to His will.

Waiting On God / A Woman's Perspective

I have always been a patient person. The sad truth is that since I had little expectations from people, being patient was easy.
On March 9, 2000, I dedicated myself to God,,, as an adult.
Oh, I was baptized at the age of 12 on Mother's Day, because that is what I was expected to do.
In my mid 30's during challenging financial times, I once again turned to God. Since I always thought of myself as a very nice and decent person, I honestly did not feel that I needed much changing in my life. I had always willingly helped others and tried to treat people in a manner in which I wanted to be treated. The only guilt I sometimes felt was the fact that I was not active in a church. At that time, the behavior of most church folks did not make me feel as if I was missing much. When I visited different churches, I left feeling as if I would never have enough money to become a member.

On that dreary March day in 2000, everything was different.
I felt as if every part of me had died. I turned to God because I literally had no where else to turn.
He lifted me up out of a pit of despair and gave me a new life.
My life has been filled with miracles and the wonder of God's grace. It took a little time, just a little,,for me to realize that God loves me just as I am. It took much longer for me to learn how to love myself.

Unlike my life before, I asked God for His guidance. I knew that God had always been present in my 'other' life, but this time I placed Him in His rightful place,,,,FIRST.

The years have passed quickly. Some days have been quite a challenge, but most have been much like an adventure.
All have been filled with the assurance of God's amazing unconditional love,,for me.

For the first time, I discovered the joy of allowing myself to dream.
It takes a lot of faith to dream at the age of 50.
But,,,God told me that my heart did not have to troubled, and I did not have to be afraid because the best is yet to come..
The year I turned 55 was exceptionally hard. My health took a nose dive and I felt that I would never live my dreams. For an entire year, I struggled with where my life was, or at least appeared to be.
But,,,I made it; stronger in my faith than ever before.

* I do not believe that God will give His children anything that is not best for them; even if we ask. We do have the free will to go off on our own to get something that might not be in our best interest.
Free will has life altering power,,,use wisely.
We must strive to gain enough faith to understand that God will provide us with what we need and desire at just the right time,,,if it is His will.
It is not His will; we do not need it, and He will not provide it.
He is our Father,,,He knows what is best for His children.

I learned early into this journey that in order for me to give my feelings to God, I had to recognize and acknowledge what those feelings are. There are none too heavy, or too small. Of course, He already knows, but it feels good to 'talk to my Father' because I know without any doubt that He hears me.

Thankfully, I now realize that I am exactly where I am supposed to be in my life.
God has filled my life with people who genuinely love and accept me for who I am.
I now realize that today,,,,right now,,,this is the best,,,for me.

I now wait with anticipation, expectation, and hope,,,for whatever God might still have for me.
Look at how long He waited on me.
Because,,
God's love is forever.

The Flip Side of Holiday Cheer / A Woman's Perspective

Throughout much of the world, this day is celebrated with joy and thanks. The birth of Jesus is reason enough to be joyful and filled with thanks,,everyday.

Unfortunately, for many people, the fact that the celebration of Christmas has been taken over by material trappings has made this a day of sadness. The takeover did not happen over night. It has been moving swiftly along for quite a few years.

The focus on living large and well, is now deeply rooted in the holiday season. From the best decorations for the home, and the most elaborately decorated tree to the most expensive and perhaps most coveted gifts for the entire family.

Each person has the right to celebrate in the manner of their choice.

But,,, what about the people who are unable to provide even the smallest of gifts for their children.
Sure, the child might receive something from an agency or a kind hearted person, but how does the parent feel deep inside?

What about the person who has no family or close friends to share this day that is almost designed for families?

What about that person who has no home?
They will stand in a long line to receive a hot meal.
But, what about tomorrow?

What about the people who have family, but their family has no interest in their well being?
Perhaps they have outlived their spouse and peers, and now sit quietly in a facility simply waiting to die.
Their family members are "uncomfortable around old people, because they don't have anything important to say" or " because they smell bad!"
Perhaps if you drop by for a visit, you could take a nice scented body wash. Everyone appreciates feeling clean and fresh.

What about the aunt or uncle that used to buy you gifts and make you laugh, but since your mother, his sister,, has passed away, you just don't think about visiting any of the old people any more; you are much too busy."
I mean, after all, you regularly visit the church sponsored retirement home with the Mission Society.

Roughly twenty years ago, an older woman came to live with her son who lived two houses down from mine. She was a tall, sweet, soft spoken woman who was also a retired nurse. She was there during the time my Momma lived with me. She was not even close to Momma's age but she would come to my house and they would talk about the Bible.
I soon noticed that she was walking to the Catholic church in the neighborhood everyday for noon mass. We lived in the back of the subdivision, and the church was located at the entrance. She declined my offer to drive her.
Soon after, she shared her story with me. She had been married over 20 years to the father of her son and daughter. They were deep and active in the Baptist church. Her husband abruptly left her for a fellow church member. She felt betrayed by both the man and the church. She made the decision to join the Catholic church.  She did not tell me that she had a mental breakdown.

A few months later, at the beginning of the holiday season, she apparently had a relapse. The neighbor on the other side of their house found her standing outside in the rain. She had been standing outside for several hours before anyone saw her. Her daughter told the neighbor that the holiday season was a very bad time for her mother.
It was a very sad situation.

A few years later, I saw her at the clinic where I worked. She seemed glad to see me. I know that I was genuinely glad to see her. She was living with her daughter, and she looked quite well.
Sadly, a couple of months later, the person over the group she was a part of, came to my office and told me she had passed away.
It was not during the holidays, and I prayed that she was in a peaceful place.

Recognizing and being thankful for our blessings is what God expects us to do.
Good things in life are blessings that are not always guaranteed for life...
God also expects us to pray for and help those who are less fortunate....
At all times.

Memories of Christmas Morning / A Woman's Perspective

It is impossible for me to think of Christmas morning without a stroll down memory lane. As I get older, my strolls provide a surprising sense of ,,comfort.

Honestly, I do not have what I view as a 'holiday mindset'. I am convinced that my childhood memories are so filled with being the only person washing the mound of dishes resulting from the huge family gatherings is the real reason.
I will admit that the 'experience of family' was almost worth the hours of work. Almost..

Our house was the designated gathering place. . I now understand how much work goes into a successful family function of any kind.The fact that Momma was the matriarch of our family was never in question. Being the youngest of her siblings gave her an interesting level of power. Her loyalty to her family; deserved or undeserved, helped hold the small group together.

 Time passed, and people passed away.
.
The gatherings ended, but a few of us still cherish the times we spent together.
Younger generations went about the business of forming their own traditions.

I did not truly appreciate the joy that comes from meaningful giving during Christmas until my children were born.
I waited with as much anticipation for the Sears Wish Book as they did. It was so much fun to watch them turn each page with bubbling excitement.

My children were complete opposites when it came to an appreciation for toys. My son had an active imagination that was highlighted by toys. His first word was 'car'. He loved Hot Wheel cars, any other type of car, race tracks, and all things related to an 'emergency' theme. From the  age of two, he wanted to be a fireman. He used the fence in the backyard to conduct rescue missions and fight fires. He would spend hours playing by himself. He also loved action figures and Star Wars,,,anything. It was easy to buy toys that he would enjoy.

Buying toys for my daughter was a challenge. Keeping the myth of Santa alive was an even greater challenge; she always looked at us with,, well, disbelief.
She liked paper, tablets, pens, pencils, shoes, and purses. I loved buying her different types of dolls. She had a doll representing all ethnicities. Her only interest in the dolls was to make them the students in her classroom. The only exception was her Big Bird. She also enjoyed her play kitchen. She would pretend to cook all day. She kept her Easy Bake Oven on a shelf in her closet until she became an adult. Her most fun was when she had the undivided attention of her big brother. At the age of four she declared that she would go to college, become a teacher, and have a maid to clean her house. She was serious.
Both of my children loved to read until they figured out that in some circles, reading was not always cool.
Interestingly, my son is into collecting First Editions and books of his favorite authors, and my daughter is a Fourth grade teacher who specializes in reading.

The joy I have received from my children has always been priceless. The look on their faces, even my little skeptic, made the giving side of Christmas a heart warming experience.
The same is true today. When they talk about their Christmas memories, a warm smile adds a sparkle to the light in their eyes.
This warms my heart..

They are forming their own traditions for their families, while including some from their childhood.

Mission accomplished..

Our memories are a part of the life garden we have sown.
Nurture your garden with love, understanding and forgiveness.
This will provide strength that the positive memories will need to reign over the negative.

The Silence Of An Angel's Tears / A Story by Sammye Kaye

It is difficult to describe the light shining through the windows in the small room. All of the windows are shaped like portals usually found in large ships. Amazingly, the light appears to meet at various points, sending gentle shimmers throughout the sparsely furnished space.

Micah has never shared with anyone his fascination with ships and water. He did not plan the layout of his room. When he arrived and opened the door to his quarters, the room was perfect for him.
Of course it would be nothing less. He is as thankful today, as he was so many years ago.

There is a gentle knock at the door..

Micah: " Come in Sarah."
He turns and looks closely at the tiny woman who slowly enters his room. Her beauty is as obvious as the thick silver gray braid that falls solidly past her waist. She often moves so quickly, it appears as if the braid will cause her to lose her footing.
This morning, her small body seems to be taken over by a blanket of,, sadness.

Sarah:  "Micah. Please forgive me for not declaring this a good morning. And before you chastise me for my total disgust for many of the actions of man, I must assure you that I accept the fact that I do not have to understand why such things are allowed to happen.!"

Micah: " Sarah, you have been told many times how difficult your job would be. It is not because we feel you are challenged in your ability to learn how to do your work, it is to try and prepare you for the basic trials and tribulations of your child's life. This is a part of the human experience. As you know, no matter how old your child becomes, he or she will always be a child in your heart. You enter the world with them, and you leave with them. You are their guardian angel".
"Why would you be chastised for feeling genuine love and compassion for one of God's children He has placed in your care?"

Micah: " Your job is not to change the course of their life. From birth, as babies, they can see and hear you. As they get older and begin to make life choices, although they can no longer see you, they will still sense your presence,,, if they can remain focused and on the right path. Your job is to remind them that are never totally alone."

They remain silent as they reflect on one of their most basic purposes....

Micah:  "This tragedy did not happen in your part of the world, did you assist in bringing the babies home?"

Sarah:  " Yes I did. Their angels could not protect them from the attack, but they were able to provide comfort for their spirits. The silent tears of angels flowed freely yesterday."
"It saddens me to say, that in my part of the universe, atrocities against children have almost become common place in far too many cultures. How horrible it has to be for a mother to live in an environment so dangerous, she does not expect all, if any, of her children to reach adulthood."

Micah: " It is indeed heart wrenching. I have spent years in every part of this beautiful world that God has created for His children to enjoy. One of the worst pains in the world of man, is the loss of a child. To lose a child to vile and evil acts is a pain that only God can truly comfort."

"God understands the magnitude of such pain because He watched His only begotten son die a slow and painful death .Because God knows the hearts of man, He knew how much pain and destruction man is capable of doing. He sacrificed the life of His son, to give man a chance to be saved from total destruction."

" I have seen man do unspeakable harm to each other; time and time again. I have seen man treat animals better than other human beings. I have seen them treat innocent children worse than the trash discarded from their homes."

"Sarah, even from this vantage point, even seeing God and His love everyday, even knowing that God's will must be done,,because He is God, I am still saddened beyond words by the acts of God's children. And yes, Sarah, we must never forget that they are all His children."

Sarah: (with a deep sigh) " I know Micah. I cried my tears before I came back. I cried along with those parents who got their children up, got them dressed, fed and dropped off at school. I cried along with the family members of the adults who went to work that morning probably thinking about how they would keep the children focused with the upcoming holiday looming ahead, or how much Christmas shopping they still had to finish. They probably thought about decorated houses and trees and gifts tucked away in various hiding places. Unlike the people in other parts of the world, they had no reason to fear the safety of their loved ones."

Sarah: " My crying is done; theirs is just beginning."

Micah:  " God's love is forever, Sarah. He will never give His children a heavier load than they can carry. If they seek Him, they will find Him standing right beside them. He will guide them along the path of comfort and healing, or He will carry them. He will never leave them, and if they live their lives according to His will, they will see their babies again."

Micah: " I looked in on the children when they first arrived. Are they still resting?"

Sarah: " Some of the older ones are up and about, excited about meeting new friends."
           " Oh, Micah, I wanted so much to try and assure the parents that the children would be fine.."

Micah: (smiling) " Only God can slowly and lovingly make them believe and understand that truth Sarah. They will greatly miss the warm hugs, laughter, and yes, even the occasional tears of their babies. It will take time to even think about how wonderful God will make their lives here in heaven. There will be no possibility for more fear, pain, confusion, or sickness. Just a forever love that will shower them with joy, peace, and God's grace."

Micah:  "God has lovingly welcomed His beautiful babies home."

On-Line Dating Over The Age of 50 / A Woman's Perspective

When my best friend first approached me with the idea of on-line dating, I was appalled. My first response was "Oh no! I am not that desperate!"  The fact that she is my best friend, finally made me listen to what she had to say.
The facts were pretty simple. I had been married for over 35 years to someone I met when I was 14 years old. I had now been divorced well over a year. Everyone in my world were aware that my knowledge of men could be placed inside a child's thimble.
So, why not??

I was also completely unaware of just how men saw me. By that time, although my confidence was growing, I was still feeling somewhat less than a desirable woman.

After a few months, I agreed to join a dating site without a picture. I was surprised by the response I received sight unseen. I was also surprised by how much I enjoyed reading the profiles of the men. I found them to be both interesting and entertaining.

After much not so gentle prodding, I allowed my friend to take pictures that could be added to the profile. I hate taking pictures. Those closest to me know that when I agree or choose to take pictures, something serious is going on inside my head.
I was bombarded with messages within ten minutes of posting the pictures. To say my confidence was given a boost would be an understatement.

On-line dating gave me the opportunity to take my time deciding who and when I wanted to meet someone. This was a perfect way for me to ease into the transition from married woman to unexpectedly single woman. Was I considered divorced or single? Were they one and the same?

On average, I would go out on a date every 4-5 months. Since I was up front about the fact that I did not believe in casual sex, I seldom dated anyone more than twice.
It is no surprise that men would balk at Steve Harvey's recommendation that women practice a 90 day rule for sex, when most men feel that after three dates, they should be,,justly rewarded??

I was fortunate enough to have serious dialogue with men willing to share their experiences in life; without ever meeting.
My profile included my interest in motorcycles. I was also interested in developing a story about a man who loved bikes, but lived a somewhat 'normal' professional life.
I actually met a well established computer programmer, who had been a biker since his Dad bought him his first Harley at 15. He was extremely handsome, surprisingly soft spoken, but he also a distinct edge that would have kept me from dating him. He had also been recently diagnosed with congestive heart failure. A few days before our interview, his daughter had been diagnosed with cancer.

Real people,,,real feelings,,real stories.

I also received a message from a man who stated that he would love to meet me, and perhaps he could buy me a motorcycle?/. Yes,,, well I smiled, and shared the message with a couple of friends and hit 'delete'.

Before someone raises an eyebrow and smugly thinks,,,"well of course, on-line weirdo's". I must say that the most bizarre encounters I have ever had has been with people I met off-line.
And yes,,, that includes church.
Just because a man can quote the Bible does not mean he lives accordingly.
Men are fully aware that church is a great place to meet women who just might be lonely enough to ignore normal red flags regarding their behavior.
Christian dating sites have the same issues as any other site.
Crazy people are everywhere.
 At least on-line, you can at least talk to or email the person until you feel comfortable enough to meet the person face to face.



Even with the clear understanding that probably 50% of what men state in their profiles is pure fabrication, there can still be a lot to learn from both their choice of words and choice of pictures.
You will see pictures that range from the man standing in front of an unfinished 'mansion', or a man who is 'single' standing in front of a dresser with a pair of woman's slippers clearly in view, to a man sitting in front of a kitchen counter piled high with trash, dirty dishes and a  large open can of Raid roach spray..

There are what I refer to as serial daters. Serial daters view dating sites much like 'meat markets'. There are enough available women on line to move on the next woman rather quickly if they don't 'get lucky' on the first or second date. They often have a steady woman in their lives who are patiently waiting on a shelf, while the man regularly dates on-line. Since he will have a user name, it would be unlikely his woman would thnk about checking, unless of course, she met him on-line.

I must be fair and point out that there are also female serial daters in the mix. They could be trolling for sex or perhaps a nice free meal(s).

While it is true that many men are looking for a quick sexual fix, there are also just as many men who are seeking a genuine relationship.
Men are just as afraid of rejection as women are, and will use the least painful path to finding a possible companion.

Older women entering the world of on-line dating should use the same common sense and caution she would use if she met a man in the grocery store.
You should talk on the phone often enough to establish an opinion of the person.
Ask enough questions to learn a little someting about his mindset.
Never meet anyone without letting a close friend know who you are with and where you are going.
Meet them in a well populated area. The same rule should be applied when choosing a parking space.
Allow your instinct and wisdom free and total access to the entire experience.

Recognize the fact that most of the men in your age group are interested in younger women; don't take it personally.
 It is their right, their issue, and likely their loss.

You will most likely be pursued by younger men; sometimes much younger.
Examine your feelings before you are faced with the attention of an intelligent, mature, fine,, younger man. It will happen.
Are they simply on the prowl, looking for an attractive older woman?   Maybe, maybe not.
Perhaps they are just looking for someone who has a different type of conversation.
Think about it.

On-line dating is not for everyone. It is no more an act of desperation than the hope that most single women have when they step out of their door,,,, that the 'right' man will find them attractive and interesting enough to approach them.
If you decide to try on-line dating, do not be ashamed of your decision.
It is your life,,your decision.
You would be surprised by just how many women and men date almost exclusively on-line.
They keep their business where it belongs.
If it is not for you, try not to judge those who choose to do so.

I have formed genuine friendships and learned valued life lessons from a select group of  people I have met on-line.
Since I firmly believe that God allows everything to happen for a reason, I consider these people to be blessings in my life.

It has been almost 4 years since I met someone on-line.
 Thankfully, I am blessed to be content where I am today.
However, I do not regret my on-line experience.

Are Electronics Tempting Honest People To Steal?/ A Woman's Perspective

I was fortunate enough to attend a Roberta Flack concert last weekend. This amazing woman is still as talented as she was 40 years ago. My son surprised me with VIP tickets that provided my friend and I with an almost 'touch the stage' view. Both the band and vocalists were excellent. Since this was only the second concert I have ever attended,,in my life, the entire experience is something I can cross off my growing 'bucket list' with a huge gold star.

I was a little surprised when our purses were inspected by security. The young man was apparently looking for cameras and recording devices.
I expected an announcement to turn off cell phones before the performance. Instead, it was a strong request that no flash pictures(?) or recordings of the performance would be allowed
.
Much to my surprise, the ushers were kept quite busy during the entire performance asking people to stop taking pictures and recording. There efforts were a complete waste of time. The very pleasant woman sitting directly in front of me with her mother and possibly her sister, had a very impressive piece of technology to record the entire concert. Excellent color and crisp clarity. Her video will be quite enjoyable to watch on her television. She was told three times by an usher that recordings were not allowed;  to no avail.
The theatre was filled with like-minded people.
Even if these people were making the recordings for their own personal use, they should have respected the artist enough to refrain from doing so.

Is the unauthorized use of a person's 'work' a form of stealing?

I feel very strongly that the answer is a resounding,,,yes! 
I am amazed by the number of people who firmly condemn stealing, but have a shelf filled with 'bootleg' movies. They have convinced themselves that since they are not the 'pirates',,,their hands are clean.

Generally speaking, I am not a fan of movies. People who are, can usually afford the price of a ticket. A true fan of a particular artist will support them by actually going to the movie(s) to see them practice their craft.

This is their livelihood.

Do they deserve to have any of it stolen from them; especially when the thief is benefiting from their work?

Buying stolen goods in any form is aiding a thief in their chosen path.
There is always the chance that one day you might have something they would like to have.

Do we want our children to think this behavior is clever and acceptable??

The attempt to wrap our bad choices,,, even the seemingly small ones,, up in a nice sweet package will not effect any resulting consequences we may have to face later in life.

Should Parents Respect Their Children?/ A Woman's Perspective

One of my granddaughter's reminded me of something I had not seriously thought of since I was child. She stated that she did not think parents give children enough respect. I was instantly taken back to my childhood. I personally did not feel that any adult gave children enough respect; if any at all.

Once again, I promised my unborn children that I would always treat them with respect. I know that I tried to always take their feelings into consideration, but I am just as sure that I often failed.

* The fact that my granddaughter was confident enough to share her thoughts about parents in general, lets me know that my children are raising their children with even more insight than their parents. I have since asked seven children and five adults and all shared her view. Yes, even the adults. Even with the amount of freedom they were given, neither of my children would have had the confidence to be as open.
It is not easy to balance all that needs to be balanced when raising children, and I am thankful
.that my baby reminded me of the importance of what should be such a simple act.

So, should parents try harder to give their children respect during the 'raising' process?

For me, the answer would be YES.  I grew up during a time when children had no opinion that was important enough for parents to hear, or consider. Children were to be seen and not heard.
I always seemed to ask questions that made the adults in my world very uncomfortable.

I did manage to listen to my children and allow them to express themselves,,in a respectful manner.
The phrase "Because I said so!" always seemed to be a sign that there really was not a good reason for whatever their decision happened to be. And yes, after too many 'but whys??' I admit to saying those words a few times. But, I did try to keep the slip to a minimum.

How can parents do a better job of treating our children with more respect?

Being a parent is both the most meaningful and most difficult job I have ever been blessed to have. Just trying to provide our children with their daily needs is a full time job.
 Preparing them for a productive future is an additional full time job.
Our responsibility to do our best to raise secure and confident children mandates that we teach them how to be humble and respectful. 
The best way to teach life lessons is by setting a solid example for our children to see. We can do this by treating our children with the type of respect we would have appreciated as children. And the type of respect we expect them to give to others.

Children deserve to be heard, and it is our job to listen.
If we fail to 'hear' them, they will find someone else who will. We can not afford the possible risk that person may be to that child.
As parents, we must keep an open line of communication with our children; male or female.
We must respect their opinions, even when we disagree.
It is possible to teach life lessons in a respectful manner.
Being respectful does not diminish your power as a parent

Respect for adult children is also important...


*The role of a parent is forever. Parents of adult children owe them respect as adults who are also their children; which should make the process quite easy.
* A parent should always be honest with their children. Honesty is a necessary component of security. Even adult children need the security of their parent's loving honesty.
* If a child cannot trust their parents, the pain runs deep,,,,at any age.
* A parent should respect themselves and their children enough to carry themselves in a way that guarantees respect from both sides.

Many are quick to quote God's word regarding children being respectful and obedient to parents.
There are also many references throughout the Bible regarding how God feels about children.
Our children are blessings from God..
It is our responsibility to love, teach, and discipline our children..
We must remember to add respect to the list...
They deserve nothing less.

The power of a parent should always be handled with prayer.