No/Yes Answers Prove Clear Path- Avoiding Fall

But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation. (James 5: 12 ESV)

Stretch!

Motivating Monday! Stretch for the stars! In the mean time, how well do we respond to ‘yes” and “no” answers. Schools are all kicking in beginning fall semester. Last night we attended a Senior Mass, pinning each senior- declaring start to their school year, all set to take lead. Our principal, a Franciscan Brother, spoke a personal message into each student, priceless. As I reflect, I saw 138 individuals- all unique, all very special to God.

Unique

Every child, no matter what school they attend is special to God. Using my son’s senior class as an example, these 17/18 year old individuals- do they truly understand how much God loves them? I watched many expressions as their turn came- many delight, some serious, and some unsure. Isn’t is amazing how unique we’re made, yet all made in the image of God. Then life happens, choices are made and the devil waits to devour. He cannot devour- if we do not let him.

Disappointment? No?

When we want something, how do we respond to God’s-no? We’ve all been here and felt disappointment. We’ re human and we want what we want. However, living a life of faith, we continually grow more faithful, seeking Jesus. In this process, it’s less of what we want, more of what God wants. Trying to teach this to a teenager is no easy task.

Seeking

Within this group of 138- statistically, more than half will stop attending church. It’s never fun to say no to our children. No may be a negative word, yet, it becomes a very healthy word. It makes the word- yes, so much sweeter. As parents/grandparents, we have to do our part to instill a desire for our kiddos to thirst and hunger after God’s righteousness. To do this, we set boundaries, requiring to say no to some things. Allowing them to seek God with all their heart, to feel God’s heartbeat, deciding to work hard finding God’s path to their God- given purpose. Here we experience the super sweet- yes! Let’s be motivated, even when it’s hard, seeking God for wisdom, standing firm with our “yes” and “no”- just maybe, we can prove statistics wrong.

Be encouraged!