Relationships

Watching my children develop relationships with others has certainly taught me so much about the influence of others. In each situation where they have not been careful in choosing who they surround themselves has been detrimental for them personally and to our family. As parents, it is distressing to watch our loved ones being torn apart spiritually and emotionally by others. I find it even more difficult when they allow it to continue.

It was my desire as a mother to teach my children to overcome all those who would threaten their relationship with God and their relationship with our family. I remember my daughter saying about one of her friends, "I don't like who I become when I am with her." This person had so much influence in her behavior that she did not have the strength to even be true to herself. 

We choose to have people in our own lives that will tear us down emotionally and spiritually just like the people of Israel in Judges 2:3 Therefore I also said, I will not drive them out before you; but they shall be thorns in your side, and their gods shall be a snare to you. They had become complacent and no longer obeying God who had given them so much blessing. He warned them that hanging with the wrong crowd would have negative consequences. 

Dear Lord ~ watch over all my children and grandkids relationships. May they choose those who are Godly and pure in heart. 

This picture was taken on a walk in September 2014.