Faith of My Earthly Father!
I know that my father had faith that I would get saved. He would take me with him to church. I remember one Thanksgiving dad took me to a Thanksgiving church service and it was there at the age of four I gave my heart to Jesus, which I remember like it happened yesterday. My dad's parents where Christians, and mom's parents were Italian Catholic, and loved the Lord. I know my grandparents and parents prayed for their children continually. When I was 22 years old, I gave my heart completely to Jesus, I had no more worldly desires. Now I lived for the Lord completely and I kept watching my own behavior and questioned it. People watched me change for the better. I said to Jesus, "if this is real, show me and I will follow you for the rest of my life." Well, I smoked cigarettes, and I asked Him as proof that if He was real, take away my desire to smoke. While I was praying in church that night, He took cigarettes smoking away so totally that I didn’t remember even being a smoker. At the end of the service, I put my hand in my pocketbook and found a box of cigarettes and I said, "who's are these?" As I recall, they were mine [really?], I kept them for 2 weeks to see if I would need them. Well, I never smoked again or had a desire to. My husband smoked the same brand and I was never tempted at all. Well, that was all I needed to keep my word to Jesus. I am very thankful for the miracle because it saved my life from further damaging my lungs. Years later down the road I came down with asthma. I became run down with over working to supporting my children. Right now, I give Jesus all the praise because my asthma is doing well. As my father prayed for me, I will continually pray for my children. Jesus makes all the difference. Heavenly Father, I thank you for the precious gift of my children. I pray that you watch over them, guide them, and protect them. May your wisdom fill their hearts, and your love surround them always. Help them grow in faith, strength, and character, and may they always walk in your light. Amen!
Proverbs 22:6
Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old, he will not depart from it.
Colossians 3:21
Fathers do not embitter your children; for they will become discouraged.
Ephesians 6:4
And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.