| (Copyright) by James Steinle (Swanville, Minnesota) |
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| Dear young lady, Loved onesand friendsfind it ajoy watching you grow up! How fast timegoesby as we first see you asalittlechild but then so rapidly, that young child startsto blossom and mature. Aswewatch you our hopesand prayersarethat you arrive at adulthood safeand sound and filled with both inner and outer beauty. As a person that I hope you realize loves you and wants the best for you, I would like to give you the best gift that I have to give. It is not money or material things, but it is any wisdom I may have accumulated over the years that will help you to become that beautiful mature woman. That is where this letter is coming from. Some of what I will try to express to you are things that I wish my parents had been able to tell me when I was young, but they too were not alwaysaware or able to tell of the things that would have been helpful and educational. Any of us can fail so easily in various areas of our lives, but thankfully if we care for one another, we can help each other and make all of our lives more rewarding. We are all interconnected in our lives and love and that gives you, and me, manyopportunitiesfor joy- or sorrow! The same is true for our heavenly Father who is in the process of creating His own family – us! We are even made to look like Him (Genesis 1:27). I know you have some religious training in you, so that is why I would like to use the wisdom found in that “Letter” (the Bible) our Father wrote to us, His children. He too is a loving Parent and desires His children to have the joy and happiness of life that He makes available to us. The problem so often is that many of us do not take the time or effort to study out the way of life in that Letter, and then apply it. If we did, it would produce the joy and happiness that we each want. From personal experience I know that at times in the past when I tried to have some fun or joy in my life my own way, a way that went different from how the “Letter” from my “DAD” told me to get it, the end result was disappointing! I have learned through the “CollegeofHard Knocks”that thewayto actually havejoy in my lifewas to study what He said, then actually apply the teachings to the way I live. I now have much more joy and happiness because I try to do what DAD wants and to live the way that producesit. I know you too as a maturing young woman are searching for joy and happiness in your life and I hope you have it. We all can be disappointed at times in what happens to us or to those around us. Scars in life happen to us all. It happens because we as human beings sometimes try to find joy our own way and not follow the instructions of our Father; and we all can suffer as a result! Each one of us can be guilty of failing to follow those “best of life” instructions. When we realize we each do fail from time to time, it helps give us the compassion and the ability to not judge others too harshly. These instructions from our loving Father include preparing for marriage by education in a variety of areas, keeping oneself chaste before marriage so that when one finds their proper mate there can be pure untainted joy. Our Father wants us to find a mate who has the same values. That is why it is good to date a variety of young men to see if they have the same values. When you find one and marry him, those same values produce a stable home environment that promotes loving, happy, healthy, and prosperous families. If you would bekind and patient enough to bear with me, herearesomethingsI wish I could have been taught, or taught better, or applied better when I was young. One of which is to seek the will of our Father with all our heart. In Isaiah 66:2 our Father says “…. but to this man (meaning male or female) will I look, even to him that is poor (meaning depressed in mind or circumstances, afflicted, humble, needy) and of a contrite spirit (meaning smitten or dejected), and that trembles at My word.” (meaning takes His words to heart, respecting what He says). He also says in Deuteronomy 4:29 “But if from there you shall seek Yehovah (His Hebrew Name) your Elohim (your God or, Mighty One), you shall find him, if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul.” In other words, our heavenly Father is not far from any of us if we truly look to Him for the answers to our trials and troubles and do the best, we can to do what He wants. That of course means we have to read and study His Word and get educated (and sometimes even listen to the wisdom of others who have been through much of this life)! I know you someday would love to have a good husband and children and raise up a family of your own. How wonderful that would be, and I hope and pray it happens for you!! Of course, you will want the best for your children also! You will want to see them grow up and produce loving happy children (and grandchildren for you)! Now the question is, how to bring that about? What will you teach them? Thankfully, there are good guidelines to go by if you believe in the Bible as I do. If you do, you will probably teach your children to study thewoman and wifefound in Proverbs31:10-31 who waswellrespected by her husband and therest ofthecommunity. It is absolutely fabulous reading! This woman was not only virtuous and industrious, but smart. She apparently was taught and/or educated herself enough not only to take care of the daily needs of her household but was able to go out and buy and sell property on her own! Her husband said “who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies…”. Verse 30 says “favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman that fears Yehovah, she shall be praised.” It’s what is in our heart that shows our true beauty. And, if you ever have children and teach them that, you won’t go too far wrong. As Proverbs 14:1 says, “Every wise woman builds her house, but the foolish plucks it down with her hands.” In other words, you will teach your children that the choices we make in life will either build, or tear down. It’s up to us. If you make our Fathers “Letter” the place where you get your teachings, then I’m sure you will also teach your children what it says in 1 Timothy 1:9-10, where the Apostle Paul says, “So I want men everywhere to pray with holy hands lifted up to Yehovah, free from sin and anger and resentment. And the women should be the same way, quiet and sensible in manner and clothing. Believing (Christian) women should be noticed for being kind and good, not for the way they fix their hair or because of their jewels or fancy clothes.” Not that that is wrong if done in an appropriate way and attitude of humility; in other words, not thinking more of ourselves than we should. If you have boys, you will teach them that before they get married, they need to “Develop your business first before building your house” as Proverbs 24:27 says. Also, that when they grow up they are to love their wife and take care of them as they would their own body. And they are to treat their own children properly for it says in Colossians 3:21, “Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.” For your girls, you would teach them that being a wife means they are to respect their husband (Ephesians 5:22-33) You would teach your children what it says in Colossians 3:20, “Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is pleasing to Yehovah.” The woman who understands and does this will attract the kind of man that has similar values and who will provide for her and her family. It will be a family where joy and happiness are to be found, even when trials come into our lives. Well young lady, I have probably tested your patience with my long letter to you and in using so many scriptures, but I care enough for you to take that chance. All I can say is make wise and right choices now based on how our Father instructs us. If you do, the joy and happiness that results will help when hurts and sorrow come into your life as they do in all our lives. And you will be able to pass on your wisdom and your joy to your children when that time comes. I look forward to your future! With much love, YourGrandpa |
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