Choices - Quality Time
Do most teenagers spend quality time with their parents and/or grandparents? Is there a real desire for bonding with loved ones?
In best life insurance rates first article “Choices: Leaving Your Comfort Zone” I spoke about Chenoa Grey Owl in my novel “Chenoa’s Spiritual Journey” and the choices she made. Chenoa was upset that her parents wanted to leave their home on the reservation in Arizona and relocate in Ohio. She did whatever she could not to reach that point.
However, she ended up spending some quality time with her mother, grandmother, and grandfather. Each one gave her encouraging advice.
The grandmother said, “Never look behind you, because what has happened is in the past and cannot be recaptured. Always look ahead because that is where your destiny lies. The only time to reflect on the past is to see how you solved a problem.”
That’s good advice coming from an elder that has experienced life. We should put the past behind us and nove ahead. We shouldn’t allow our past to hinder us from doing the job that God has called us to do.
The grandfather spoke about courage. He said: “My grandfather taught me about courage. Times weren’t easy but he didn’t complain. He faced the hard and difficult times with his head held high. He faced danger and didn’t run away, but faced death with dignity. In the old days, counting coup meant you had courage. But today you must have courage to face bad thoughts and desires. Guard your heart. Be careful about what goes into your heart and what comes out. It takes courage to make changes instead of running away.”
Chenoa’s grandfather understood life. However, for an inexperienced 16-year-old Chenoa would learn from her grandfather’s advice. Although many of the lessons she learned did not come easily, and she made many mistakes. [That will be discussed in a future article].
The best advice Chenoa could have ever received came from her mother. She told Chenoa whenever she was anxious she should “Talk to Jesus.” She understood that Chenoa was anxious about leaving her comfort zone. Her advice was based on Scripture: “Don’t be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving present your request to God.” [Philippians 4:4-5]
Spending quality time with those around us is important. However, spending quality time with God is more important. Seeking God’s guidance for your future, or your plans invite God to be a part of your life. We should be willing to go wherever God sends us. If He calls us to do something important for Him, car to donate should spend time getting His instructions instead of fretting over it.
So, what’s your choice? Be honest. Are you willing to give God quality time so He may draw you closer to Him that you may see and begin to understand that God loves you?I Georgia Lemon Laws asking myself the same question. If we’re all honest with ourselves our answer should be “yes.” I challenge you as well as myself when asking this question: “Are we willing to let go, and let God?” God’s blessings come when we surrender to His will. He has an important job for us to do. Are we willing to say, “Here I am, send me?” I already have, now what’s your decision?
Chenoa learned this the hard way. She was not willing to ask God what He wanted, but tried to control the situation. Sadly Chenoa didn’t have control over the situation and until she realized that God couldn’t use her. Only when we spend quality time with God do we realize His plan for our lives is better than any plan we can come up with.
I have been writing for 36 years and have published numerous poems, a young adult trilogy, and six books of inspirational poetry. I am marketing my Chenoa’s Spiritual Journey series on my web site: members.fortunecity.com/beckyjdicemembers.fortunecity.com/beckyjdice - and I invite everyone to visit the site. The books are available on my web site and anyone interested in purchasing the books may contact me at writingforhim@netzero.com
I am writing articles about my books that I am using as a marketing tool. My novel “Chenoa’s Spiritual Journey was lowest insurance rates on a blog tour in July 2008 hosted by the Christian Fiction Review Blog. Most of the reiews from the tour were printed out and put in my scrapbook. David Brollier, co-founder of CFRB and a personal friend of mine gave me permission to quote him in any of my articles.