Thoughts...

Thinking back on my childhood I have an abundance of happy memories. I grew up in a wonderful home with godly parents. But this morning I was thinking about Mrs. Kirk. Your probably wondering who in the world Mrs. Kirk is. Well they lived right across the street from us in the charming blue cape cod built by none other than Mr. Kirk himself.
They were the sweetest elderly couple.He dressed as Santa every year and visited all the neighbourhood children Christmas Eve night and she always welcomed me in whenever my Mom was not able to get me off the school bus. Let me just say her home was the picture of what comfort meant to me then and now. It was so cozy and warm. The smell of dinner simmering on the stove greeted you upon entering and of course there was always a plate of cookies and a glass of milk waiting for me at the kitchen table. My visits were never long but they have stuck with me and I desire to create those same comforts for my own family.

The Lord brought something to my mind. These visits with Mrs. Kirk were few and sporadic but look how they stuck with me and I would even say influenced me. No matter how briefly we are exposed to something it takes part (small or large) in shaping who we become and strive to be. Whether good or bad. If you are a parent like me, the Lord has entrusted us with a great responsibility. Guarding our children and choosing what will influence them. Of course some things are out of our control and that's when we trust that the Lord is protecting and sheltering our child. For the things that are in our control; cartoons/television, friends (even their friends' parents), education (christian vs. secular), these all influence their growing minds. What we sow in their little hearts and minds today is what will be reaped in the future.

"But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bounifully whall reap also bountifully." II Corinthians 9:6 KJV

*photo provided by Google Images