I remember reading somewhere that the true test of character is how you treat someone who cannot possibly do anything for you. Relationships with other people are what define us as an individual. Our actions towards others determine how they treat us and the opinions they form of us. We all want to be respected, loved and cared for by others especially those we love and care for. The relationships we have with others as we travel through this life become what we care about most.
Recently there have been some terrible examples of the consequences of treating people badly. My heart aches for these young people who take their own lives because of the way they are treated by others. In most cases they just want to be accepted and respected for who they are. Even surrounded by families who love them. They can not overcome these attacks on their spirit. Not being accepted by their peer’s leads to a hopelessness they are unable to overcome. Contrary to what many believe you do not have to be mentally ill to take your own life you just have to lose hope. I believe that is why faith in a higher power is so important. Whenever we place our faith and hope in another person that person can let us down. That is just human frailty we tend to make mistakes and disappoint those we love. How many times do we see religious and political leaders fall from grace and lose everything? Disappointing all those who believed and had faith in them. Much too often I am sorry to say.
Close personal relationships are becoming more rare and harder to maintain in our high tech age. It is so easy to lash out and berate or criticize through cyberspace without worry or repercussions. The internet is an amazing tool when used for good but devastating when used for evil. Like any tool mankind has invented it has to be used responsibly. Our kids have all that knowledge and ability at their fingertips without the wisdom to use it responsibly. Not all. Most of our young people are good but being good how do you defend yourself when there is no safe haven. No place to hide from those that are not good. Imagine the frustration those parents must feel to lose a child knowing they are under attack and unable to protect their own child. The guilt they must feel. Could a heart be any more broken? I don’t think so.
A relationship that is the word that becomes all encompassing in a young persons life. In all our lives. What kind of relationships do the parents of the children who cause this sorrow have with their children? Do they have any idea what their children are doing? Should they be held accountable for their children’s actions? We never hear much about that part of the equation. With the demise of religion are children being raised without any moral compass? Complicated questions all. Here is something I read recently.
“ Since it is our fate, my Lord , to live in an age wherein Divine Revelation is rejected, the source of ancient prophecies perverted, the miracles of our blessed Saviour degraded, the mysteries of our Holy Religion ridiculed, it’s laws and constitution slighted and it’s guides and ministers treated with despite”!!
Does that describe how society is today? Pretty close I would say. Here is what you might find interesting. Those words were written and signed by the author April 7th 1744. By Thomas Stackhouse. Dedicating his book to Edmund the Lord Bishop of London 268 years ago. “The History of the Bible”.
What this tells me is that mankind has always struggled to maintain a relationship with God. The most important relationship any person can have is with their God as they perceive God to be. In most cases a child’s perception of God is based on their parent’s perception of God. Not a God that you believe in because you are told to believe in. A God you see in the way your parents treat you and those around them. A God they have a relationship with. A loving God. Not a you have to go to church God. You can not force God upon your children. You can only be God’s example for your children. Charles Stanley once gave a fathers day sermon where he said “To a child the father is God” I never forgot that statement and the responsibility that went with it. I believe Napoleon Hills “Supreme Secret” “What the human mind can believe”. “The human mind can achieve.” I believe once a child believes that God loves them. They will never feel alone or forsaken and never, never loose hope!!
Relationships Just one word. One word that means so much in all our lives.
If you are a young person reading this God loves you. He knows you. He wants you to be happy and He wants to be part of your life. With Him by your side you will never be alone again. He is real. I know because I believe. I was seven when my father died. My grandmother took me in her bedroom and helped me invite God into my heart. I’ve known His love ever since. He helped me when my youngest brother died. When my mother died. When my brother had a brain injury and we nursed him at home for three years. When my closest brother and best friend committed suicide. Oh yes even with God life isn’t easy. You see life on this earth is a struggle for us all but why not have the best Friend you could ever imagine by your side. He is there waiting for you to ask Him in. I did you can too and only you can do it. My prayers are with you.
I met Jerome on a busy city street in Baltimore, Maryland, when he was forty-five years old. On that particular day, I was out and about, enjoying a much-needed day off from work.
I wanted to purchase a sukiyaki sub. I parked my car in an area of
