Thank you for my Parents

THE BLESSINGS, STRUCTURE AND FOUNDATION OF PARENTS

The 4th person which I consider a group are my parents. I will count my parents as the 4th as a category to thank during this Passover Season. Not only did they bring me into this world in 1975, they did the best in their natural power to ensure that me and my siblings received the best support, care and love in this world. My Father was like a strong tower and my mother was like a strong wind. Together, they created a force of discipline and obedience in their presence. My mother led me to the church which began my salvation call in 1987. My childhood was the environment for God to plant his word within me until the appointed time. My Father was the structural foundation and model in the home that I patterned my physical character, integrity, and behavior. He was made in the image of God and he possessed the divine authority to lead the family. As a little girl, I received acceptance and approval from my Father through his words based on my actions and behavior. I was always trying to please my Father and make him proud of me. That was an instinct that was within me that grew as I got older. It grew into my own drive for perfection, cleanliness and an overachiever. My emotions drove me when I left my father’s home instead of waiting until I received wisdom from the Lord. I didn’t receive counsel and wisdom from my father until I returned home in 2015 broken and hurt from a failed marriage. The spirit of God led me back to my Father so I could have the stability to fix the war inside me. I was insecure which reflected in my attitude and behavior as an aggressive woman with ambition but no wisdom or vision from God. These behaviors derailed me because I didn’t know how to communicate my thoughts and feelings without offending someone. I needed the time with my Father to heal wounds that I had never addressed before my previous marriage. I felt like the protocol son returning home to my father. I am thankful and grateful for my Father because he is always honest and tells the truth no matter what. The truth hurts, but it penetrates areas that are hiding behind insecurities. My grandmother (his mother) Madea was the same way. Their personalities made me strong in God, but I used my strength without wisdom. My Father had a way with his words. He would say something that hurt, but instead of learning how to effectively communicate, I isolated myself and cried or got upset. This held the pain in instead of letting it out in a healthy way. I was a daddy’s girl, and I didn’t want to say anything that was disrespectful to my dad. During the times spent with him after my divorce in 2015, behaviors, assumptions and judgmental thoughts were uprooted from within me. I realized that most of the problems in my life had a root, and I was the one feeding it. My Father was the blessing in my life along with my mother, but I didn’t see it until I feel on hard times.

PARENTS GOD'S PLATFORM

My parents’ marriage was the platform that launched me into the world’s system. I had a good start, but the trials, tribulations and storms of life blew me back to the foundation of my Father in 2015. My Father excepted me back into his home after my divorce. He protected and provided me with shelter during the storms. My Father was the physical image God created to help me in 2015. He was the strong tower after I did all I could in my natural power. I had to be still and stand on my faith through the storm. I thank God that my dad opened his heart to me and fulfilled the scripture in my life that stated “And he will turn The hearts of the fathers to the children, And the hearts of the children to their fathers, Lest I come and strike the earth with a curse" (Malachi 4:6, NKJV). He made sure that I had shelter, food, water and a place to lay my head. When I was experiencing the storms in my life, it was hard to see. I had to create a prayer wall like in the movie War Room to understand what God was doing because my prayers were not answered. They were blocked and opposite than what I was praying. During this time God was uprooting behaviors and attitudes in me that were blocking the flow of blessings and my prayers in my life. I was hit the hardest from 7/1/2015 through 2/13/2017. My Father was the strong tower that covered and protected me which reflected the scripture, “God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble” (Psalms 46:1, NKJV). He demonstrated God’s agape love for me as his child.

During this time my mother was a fiery wind ready to fight for me because she hates to see any of her kids hurting. Although I was hurting, I was trying to show her that this is my cross and God is with me. I showed her that I chose to follow Christ and this is the spiritual warfare that I can’t break out of because it’s painful. I must endure until the end, and the chains are broken. Although I knew God was with me, that didn’t make the journey easy. My mother still encouraged me in the Lord. She would say, “You gone be alright”. She still said she loved me. She still provided for me like her child. She allowed me to rest, cooked for me and listened to my problems.

What can I do for my parents who gave me life when I was faced with death? I can say thank you until God’ glory is manifested, and his blessings reign down on the earth for his people that are standing in faith and in the gap for others. I wouldn’t be the person I am today in my mind, emotions, body and spirit if my parents were any different. They planted seeds when I was a child that are bursting forth like the rays of the sun today. Thank you, mother and father. You are blessed to be a blessing.

Scripture Today

“Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise” (Ephesians 6:2, NKJV).

Dedicated Songs

“Grateful” – Hezekiah Walker: https://youtu.be/yE0W-kQyz6A

“Still Say Thank You” – Smokie Norful: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nI7IK-xasvM

“Way Maker” - Maranda Curtis: https://youtu.be/fWhoQj0Fz4M

“Rain on Us” – Earnest Pugh: https://youtu.be/xeEdd6jWTyE