Great Examples

April 21, 2023

"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6

Many of us grew up with parents who had strict rules. We had chores, and we had to clean up before we went outside on Saturday to play. Our parents were not going to let us sleep the day away, we had to get up and go do something. They also did not give us a choice about going to Church. We were made to go to Sunday School and sit in Church all day and we could not move without facing the repercussions for our actions. Although we thought our parents were too strict and we thought they did not know what they were doing, we can now say we are grateful for how they raised us, especially in the Church. Today many children have a choice if they want to go to Church or even school. Sundays are now filled with sports and other activities which prevent them for taking advantage of the very thing that brought us through and has brought us to the place where we are today in our faith. The Scripture reminds us that if we train up a child in the way they should go, when they are old they will not depart from it. I encourage you today to remember your roots. Remember the things your parents instilled in you, and those things which you did not understand then, are the very things that are keeping you now. Your parents made you say your prayers before you went to bad and as a result you know how to pray your way through any situation. You had to say your Christmas and Easter speeches, and now you know more about The Lord as a result. Even though you may have turned away from the Church when you got old enough to do your own thing, the Church was still in you, and now you are right in the place God has for you. Remember that through the storm and the rain the same God that was there when you were made to go to Sunday School and Church as a youth, is the same God that is there with you now. I thank God now for all my mother did in my life, for if she did not raise me in God, I do not know where I would be now. Since I know I will never depart form His ways, there is no doubt in my mind, "It's My Year to Get My Thing From My God!"

Prayer:

Lord thank you for the examples you gave me growing up and how they relied on you to see them through. The same way you kept my fore-parents is the same way you have kept me. Thank you Lord for all you are doing in my life and help me to be example to my children and others that they may know that you are God and you are always there for them. I love you Lord. In Jesus Name Amen.

Be Inspired, Rev. Dr. Stephen W. Pogue, Pastor
Greater Centennial A.M.E. Zion Church
Mount Vernon, NY