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One rainy afternoon, I was sitting on our screened in back porch and Yvonne was coming from the kitchen to the porch. She yelled out “There’s a Bear!” I couldn’t see it because my view was blocked by a large oak tree between me and the Bear. I stood and sure enough, there was a 5-6 ft black Bear coming out of the forest into our back yard. It was comical that as I tried to warn the neighbors that a Bear was heading for their yard, all I could say was “Uh.., Uh..” Yvonne was saying to me “Say Bear.”
I finally yelled “Bear!” The Bear eventually left the backyard and we never saw him again.
The next morning, I was talking to a neighbor and told him about our “visitor.” He said “Yeah, Bears love your yard. Bears travel the same path for years. The Bear’s mother must’ve taken her cubs on that same path, through the woods and into your yard for years. Now, that cub is an adult and travels that path.”
Wow. So often, we do the same thing. When we cook, we use the same recipes that our parents used. More often than not, we parent the way that we were parented. We enjoy watching the movies that our parents enjoyed. We even react to daily situations the way we saw our parents react.
Please understand- I am a firm believer for Honoring our parents. However, I do believe that if trait that our parents displayed was destructive or damaging and it was passed down to us…
We need to choose a different path.
Alcoholism, drug abuse, anger/rage, complaining spirit, negativity, unable to show emotion.. We don’t have to “take the same path.” With God’s help, we can choose to stop the cycle.
“You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived.”
Colossians 3:7
So who’s path should we follow? The greatest example that we were given.. Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 2:21 “For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in His steps.”
Read His word, pray and seek after Him. He will always direct your ways.
Proverbs 3:6 “In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”
John 8:12 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
Prayer starter: “Father, I need Your strength. I need You to show me Your path. I honor my parents, but I want to honor You more by breaking out of bad and destructive habits. Help me I pray in Jesus name. Amen.”
Vbryanhutson2015
