Who brought you up?

Each child born into this world has potential for godliness and even greatness.  The traits today's children need to guide a future society do not come by accident, but through diligent, godly parenting.  They do not learn to love and obey God only by what we say but also by watching what we do. 

Parents are exhorted to "bring [children] up in the training and admonition of the Lord" (Ephesians 6:4)  "To bring up" refers to nourishing children by providing resources for their physical, mental, and spiritual needs.  "Training" includes concern about all aspects of a child's development.  And "admonition" speaks of providing direction by well-chosen words uniquely suited to each children.

Children, honoring our parents is more than an obligations.  It's also a privilege.  As children we honor them by obedience; as adult, by frequent calls or visits and self-sacrificing care.

Deut. 5:16  "Honour thy father and thy mother, as the Lord thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee." (KJV) 

CHILDREN  LET  THEIR  PARENTS  DOWN  IF  THEY  FORGET  WHO  BROUGHT  THEM  UP.

Strength and beauty

I remembered when we are young, we can't wait to grow up, but now that we are old, we look longingly to former years.  How ironic!

God wants us to be joyful in each seasons of our life.  Whatever our age, He asks us to commit our way to Him and accept the struggle He allows along with the strength and grace He provides.

Why does God let us get old and weak then?

J. Robertson McQuilkin, a missionary said "I think God has planned the strength and beauty of youth to be physical but the the strength and beauty of old age as spiritual.  We gradually lose the strength and beauty that is temporary so we will be sure to concentrate on the strength and beauty that is forever.  And so we will be eager to leave the temporary, deteriorating part of us and be truly homesick for our eternal home.  If we stay young and strong and beautiful, we might never want to leave.

Just like what is written in Ecclesiastes 3:1 "To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:" (KJV)


AS  LIFE'S  SHADOWS  LENGTHEN,  THOUGHTS  OF  GOD  SHOULD  DEEPEN

Parents

A Chinese law requiring family members to visit their elderly relatives went into effect to howls of online ridicule, as the country's huge population ages rapidly.  More than 14% of China population, or 194 million people, are aged over 60, according to the most recent figures from the National Bureau of Statistics.

The regulation "forces" children to visit their parents, the state-run Global Times newspaper said, with concerns growing over increasing numbers of "empty nest" homes. 

[The Star  2July2013]

The law was enacted amid rising concerns that China's rapid development has challenged its traditional extended family unit and created a spiralling number of 'empty nest' homes.
Reports of eldrly people being neglected or mistreated by their children have shocked the country.

It is indeed heart rending to know that for many ageing parents, their last stage of life passes by in loneliness, disappointment and the pain of being ostracised, while others celebrate with much joy and pleasure.  This scenario is not necessarily any indication of the parents' failure to raise, nurture and teach their children the importance of family values, togetherness and traditionals.

However, as the children grow up, they become more self-centred and materialistic, probably due to influence of today's society. Besides, the fear of losing freedom, privacy and comfort could explain why they choose not to care for their elderly parents at home or even visit them in villages or old folks home, including on special ocassions.

It is also important to remember that we too will grow old one day and what we do to our parents can very well happen to us.

Great emphasis is being placed on living longer and living better. Advances in medical science are making it possible for more and more people. Yet in spite of this, none of us can avoid growing old. One day aging will overtake all of us, and our bodies will shut down.

As we grow older, we can dwell on the failures and hardships of our past, or we can remember God's faithfulness, accept His discipline, and keep looking to the future in faith.

WE CANNOT AVOID GROWING OLD; BUT WE CAN AVOID GROWING COLD.

Laughter

For years, it has been acknowledged that "laughter is the best medicine".  The Bible recorded in Proverbs 15:13 - "A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken". (KJV)

Laughter is free and anyone can produce it, anywhere and at anytime.

Cheerful people cope with illness better, said Carsten Niemitz, human biologist from Free University of Berlin.  Eckhart von Hirschhausen, a German comedian pointed out that laughter is a protective mechanism against mental illnesses.  Dr Amit Sood of Mayo Clinic in the US said, studies show all kinds of benefits from laughter - from better immunity and coping skills, lower stress, better relationships to improved digestion".

"When you laugh, you're joyful - you're living in the moment"

True happiness begins deep inside and emerges on our faces. So be happy and laugh !!!

Proverbs 17 : 22 A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.

Philippians 4 :4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

Anxiety ...

One in 20 people is thought to suffer from some form of anxiety disorder at any time.  Anxiety may not be life-threatening, but long term habit of worrying about almost everything, may limits a person's horizons and complicates life.

Anxiety is an unpleasant state of inner turmoil, often accompanied by nervous behavior, such as pacing back and forth.  Anxiety is not the same as fear.  It is a feeling of fear, worry, and uneasiness, usually generalized and unfocused as an overreaction to a situation that is only subjectively seen as menacing.  It is often accompanied by restlessness, fatigue, problems in concentration, and muscular tension. [From Wikipedia]

There are two types of anxiety : positive anxiety and negative anxiety.

A positive anxiety is the kind of anxiety that motivate us or prepare us for things we have to face, and sometimes give us energy to take action when we need to.

An anxiety becomes negative when it interferes with our day-to-day activities and we are not able to make good decisions.

Philippians 4:6-7 said  "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

1 Peter 5:6-8  "Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time.  Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.  Be alert and of sober mind.  Your enermy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour."

So we need to learn to let go and let God take over our live, for He cares and hold our tomorrow.