In my family bad choices have been the norm. The history of alcohol abuse, drug abuse, violence, illicit and illegal behavior reaches back for generations.
That being the case it was no surprise to find me pregnant at 17 years old. I can’t even say pregnancy was new territory for me, it wasn’t. The choice to carry to full term, however, was.
On my 18th birthday, bulging with child, my mom took me out to dinner. Afterward we visited the area she lived in when she was pregnant with me – including a stop at the bar she was hanging out in the night she went into labor.
She recognized lots of people, still hanging out in the same place only 18 years later they were there with their grown children. Living the same kind of life. Not much had changed, except my mom, who had been free from an alcohol & drug addiction for close to 15 years, and filled with the love of Jesus for slightly less time than that.
I wish I could say that my mom’s turn around instantaneously broke the behavior patterns established in our family line, but that’d be a lie.
I lost my oldest son’s early (formative) years in a haze of selfishness & drunkenness. It would be several years – seven at least – before I would start to make the same kind of turn around.
That being the case, I lived in dread of the teen years, anticipating a child who would behave like I did. My oldest son is now 17 years old. It is nothing but a testament to God’s grace and mercy that he is nothing like I was.
He is NOT a drunk, a rebel, a druggie, nor is he propagating the human race.
In fact, he has just come back from his second missionary trip, where he made himself available to be used by God in miraculous ways. He has a clear grasp on God’s plans for his carreer. He is a Jesus freak, Living the adventurous life of following after Him. And, last Sunday he joined the worship team at our church.
We have an incredible worship team, overflowing with natural talent & covered by God’s anointing power to minister through music. I have been privileged to be part of this team for a few months now, but last Sunday night I was overcome with gratitude.
Holy Spirit was there, it was a powerful time of soaking in God’s presence. From stage left, I looked over & saw my son, on his knees, strumming his guitar, lavishing his love upon the “Daddy” whose love has so impacted my sons life.
Man… there just aren’t words enough to express the joy that moment brought. My heart is full.
Our boy is about to launch out on his own, but he’s ready. He knows where he’s headed, how to find true North, and in the wild-ness of life – he’s got a compass, a map & the ability to read them both. What more can a parent ask for?
And we’ve only got 2 more kids to see this with.
It’s heartwarming to see how God’s Love and our recognition and acceptance of that Love can change not only our own lives but also those of our children. Curses don’t have to be passed from generation to generation. Our Father longs for His children to propagate generational blessings. Sounds like your family is well on its way.
I pray your life will be filled to overflowing with moments as you described- moments where you feel your heart may burst because it is so full of awe, love, and wonder. These are the moments when we recognize, without a doubt, we’ve been blessed. Thanks for sharing!
God is so good. I am so proud of you.