I have been thinking alot in the last several months about the people and things that influence the lives of my children. Hannah and Sadie, although typical teenagers, are atypical in many ways. They are very interested in the world around them. They care deeply about people. They take seriously their school work and the expectations of their teachers (and their mom). It is has been my priority since they each were born to give them unlimited opportunity for learning and for life experiences. However, as they are both getting older, I realize that they are making more of their own choices about who is influencing them and the choices that they make every day. I have taken a new look at who they are spending their time with, who they listen to, who influences their decisions. I am so pleased with what I see. My mother, who was the subject of my last blog, is very close to my girls. She has an opinion about everything and has no problem sharing it with the girls. The good thing is the girls are always listening to her. The girl that babysat Hannah and Sadie when they were younger is still an important part of their lives. She has become a beautiful young woman with three children of her own but still makes time to care for my girls. She came to Trinity on the church bus as a young child and now teaches the first grade Sunday School class. She named her daughter Savannah, a mix of Sadie and Hannah. I am fortunate to have many good friends that care about my children as their own.
Most importantly, I am glad that my children have a personal relationship with Jesus. Church has been a part of their lives since the day they were born. We are blessed to be at Rosemont at this time in our lives. You have loved and cared for us since our very first Sunday. I am thankful for Beth and her ministry to Hannah and Sadie. I am thankful to Dwight for his teaching and his example of strong Christian leadership and high standards that he displays every day. I guess you can tell as I have been reflecting that I am lucky to have such wonderful people influencing my children. I know, however, that the greatest influence in their lives is Jesus and His teachings. This summer the three of us began an intense through the Bible small group study together. It has been a wonderful, growing, learning time for all of us. I’ve learned some things I didn’t know about the Bible and about my girls. They are growing in the Word and receiving the influence of God from His Word. I will continue to influence my children and the many, many children I come into contact with every day. I hope you will take the opportunity to influence a child in your lives also.
