I remember my turbulent teen years like they were yesterday. If you didn’t go through some rough, emotional times as a teen then I’d like to shake your hand. I think most of us had a hard time being a teenager. The age between childhood and adulthood is difficult. As you near the “big” age of 18, the pressure just increases. “What will you do with the rest of your life?” Everyone seems to ask. If you do have an idea of what you want to do, chances are it won’t work out exactly as you have in mind. That’s life.
If I did anything right as a teen, it was having a good relationship with the Lord, and with my parents. Oh, I put them through a lot of late night talks and some tears, but we loved each other. I knew it, and I hope they knew it too. I had plans to marry a certain someone. He turned out to be a fake and a liar. I just want to say “Thank you Lord for not letting me get involved with that guy forever!” It was hard to let go of him, because I had those afore- mentioned plans. I did it though, because I knew the Lord didn’t want me to be with him, and I knew my parents didn’t.
After the break up, I just wanted to be away from everybody. All my close friends were either married or engaged. I didn’t fit in anywhere…anywhere except home.
Mom and Dad were always there. Steadfast in their Bibles (Dad would often read it aloud while Mom fixed her hair for work). Steadfast in their zeal for the Lord – they were genuine, faithful Christians. They were steadfast in their soul winning efforts. They both made telling the lost about the Lord a high priority. They were steadfast in their love for each other. Oh, they had a disagreement or two…who doesn’t? But I never feared my Dad and Mom getting a divorce. I knew they loved each other. They were steadfast in their love for me. When this guy was gone, they were there. When my friends moved away, they were there. When I eventually moved away, they were still there if I needed them. I got phone calls, letters, cards and most of all, I knew they were praying daily for me.
My home was a haven. When I broke up with that guy, I stopped going to Taco Bell after church. (Our local church hang out) I went home and enjoyed a Subway sandwich with Mom and Dad and all the love a girl could need. I hope and pray that my home is a haven for my family. I don’t want a home that is full of strife, or hatred. I want people to feel our love for each other the minute they walk in the door.
Thank you, Mom and Dad, for making my home a haven.