Sis,
The earlier in life you can learn this--that blessings come from God--the earlier you will begin to live and BASK in the blessings of God.
One thing we learn from reading the Ten Commandments? That God wants (and deserves!) our praise! He does not take kindly to being placed anywhere other than first priority in our lives. And He does not appreciate it when we take credit for what He's done, or when we give others credit for what He's done.
I'm not saying don't thank people for what they give you, assist you with, etc. But what I'm saying is that in your thanks, don't forget--ever--to publicly proclaim that you thank GOD that someone Blessed you, and that you feel God's blessings on your life!
I can truly tell you this from experience: when you praise Him every chance you get, you'll find that He gives you more reasons to praise Him! I am serious, sister! Make it a POLICY to always thank God for EVERYTHING.
Yes, thank Him for your food. Stop and say a prayer, a heart-felt prayer, even if it IS memorized, even if ppl look at you "funny" for it, even if no one else gives thanks. YOU stop, pause, put your head down, close your eyes and breathe a word of thanks to the ONE that makes your life possible.
You hear me?!
Give Him honor in your life. YOU WON'T REGRET IT!!! Mommy is telling you from experience: when you praise Him, WATCH the blessings pour in. When you make right decisions, give of your time and energy to Him, SOW into His church or ppl in the community, WATCH Him pour into your life.
The Bible says that we will reap what we sow--and that is SO TRUE!!! But it's not like a formal "Law of Gravity" or something. It's because HE IS WATCHING US. He DOES see what we do. He IS an active part of our lives, this world. Don't be deceived by philosophies. I don't care what they say. Sister: you've got to believe me. THIS IS FOR REAL. GOD IS THERE. HE SEES YOU. HE SEES ME TYPING THIS. HE TRULY CARES ABOUT US.
It is my hope that this letter is just an affirmation of a life you are already reading. But if, for some reason, in the future, my daughter reads this and she is uncertain, I beg you, Psalmie, to believe!!! And I dare you to TRUST HIM, and TRY HIM, and watch as He provides MIRACULOUSLY in your life.
Sis, I'm convinced that the greatest deception in the entire universe is the lie that the enemy has spread about Jehovah. He is NOT what the haters make Him out to be. Sis, He is WONDERFUL, COUNSELOR, PRINCE OF PEACE. LISTEN TO THAT, WOULD YOU?!?! AND TELL OTHERS!!!! This is the most important message of all--pray that people's eyes will be opened, that God will reveal Himself to them--and that they will receive what He has done for them, on their behalf and begin to start walking in that--walking in the blessings for the rest of their lives!!!
No matter what comes, no matter what happens, SIS, I BEG YOU TO LIVE BY HIS WORD and then SHARE IT with whomever He sends your way and into your path!!! This is too important!!!
I have so many regrets! I wish it wouldn't have taken me so long to UNDERSTAND how UTTERLY AMAZING our God is. I'm telling you this in the hopes that you will read this and know that passion with which this was written, suspect the CONVICTION with which this was written. AND SEE TO IT THAT YOU INVESTIGATE IT further.
And, sis, it's not enough to stay at a level where you just believe with your mind and heart. That's great. BUT THERE'S MORE!!! There's this level that is available to us, where we can LIVE IN HIM daily, see HIM at work in our lives, like, UTTERLY.
I love you with all of my heart. And it is my utmost desire that you know our Savior as I have come to know Him--and even more deeply than I have, more personally than I have. I hope that you don't wait as long as I did to submit your life to Him and WATCH HIM WORK WONDERS!!! Because that's exactly what He will do.
Remember, God looks not at our ages, but upon our heart. THAT'S THE MOST IMPORTANT THING OF ALL--whether or not our heart is pure before God.
I love you, sis. Right now, I hear you playing with your toys as you take your evening bath. You're singing, making up stories, and I LOVE IT. You amaze me. In every way. I am so very proud of you--and will always be proud of you and love you. No matter what.
I love you, I love you, I love you, darling girl,
Mommy
(That love is a force to be reckoned with--my love for you will transcend my presence on this earth. Capito? Rest in that.)
