I am a mother of five and grandmother to twelve. I was raised by parents who had integrity and values. They instilled these in me and my siblings. I did my best to instill these same qualities in our children. We raise our sons and daughters and have high hopes that they will grow up and do well in life and we envision that they will marry wonderful, loving spouses and have darling, wonderful children who will grow up and do well in life and will marry wonderful, loving spouses and have darling, wonderful children who will grow up and do well...
Today's world has changed so much that I have a difficult time seeing any type of what I consider decent values presented by the general population. Every where I turn I see disrespect, casual sex, foul language as a norm, argumentative adults, gossip, alcholism and frequent drug use, promiscuity, domestic abuse, greed, slander, belittling and I could go on and on with the list. What happened to the qualities society used to have? I long for the 'old days' when such a thing as courtesy existed; when family ties were cherished, when respect was not only expected it was given. I sometimes wonder what the future family history will read. Where in the future will this family be led? What ties will be bound. What challenges will be faced, and how will they be handled?
I look back on our family history and those who have gone before us. I feel a certain happiness as I read about their lives and the contributions they made to family, as well as to their communities and to the world. I am pleased to be a part of that heritage. I look toward the future and what our children will face, the battles they will have to fight, what there is to choose from in the way of those wonderful spouses we would want for them. How will they handle the challenges put before them in today's world? Father God help them to face all these issues and battles with You as their security, their guide, and their salvation. In Jesus Holy Name. Amen
