Recently, I have been using a tag-phrase of “Peace for the Past, Hope for the Future.” This phrase is certainly true of my own past. I had a semi-dysfunctional childhood and a very rebellious adolescence. For example, when I was fourteen my goal in life was to go to reform school. Why? Because all of my friends were there, of course!
I skipped school. I swore like a sailor. I was kicked out of school twice. Do you get the picture? If not, please see below. J
Now let me add a disclaimer to this. The pipe did NOT have anything in it. (I wanted it to, but it was an antique pipe from my great-great-grandfather who smoked “tobaccy” in it.) I wanted to “look” cool so I posed with the pipe. I was 13 at the time and was basically unaware of drugs until I went to high school—but we’ll save that for another blog.
Then right before I turned sixteen, my stepmother loved me into the arms of Christ. I was not an easy one to love, but she did it well and geniuinely. She didn’t make me into a “salvation of the soul project.” She just loved and told me about the unconditional love of Jesus. The day I became a Christ follower my life began to turn around. Of course, it wasn’t an overnight process and I have had quite a few stumbles and flat on my face falls. But, the power of Jesus Christ in my life changed not only my life, but the lives of my future children and the distant future of my grandchildren. Get the picture? If not, see below!
Today, because of prayer and because of our Lord Jesus, we have Peace for the Past, Faith for the Future!
February 17, 2009 at 1:41 pm |
Susanne,
The pipe picture is quite the deal. It’s funny to see you in short hair! The other pictures are, of course, darling–more how I’m used to seeing you. I see Michael, like the girls, has your beautiful blue eyes.