What my parents did right!

Tender Loving Care by Heidi Corona

noreply@blogger.com (Sherri Allsbury) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 23:48:00 +0000

If you’re a parent, you can easily think of a time when your kids have been sick. You know the non-stop activity of taking care of them: helping them and then stripping the bed, carrying icky sheets to the washer and remaking the bed, only to have them soiled again an hour later. Although you are happy to take care of them, it is exhausting. By the time your child is well, you never want to wash another set of sheets in your life.

Imagine now, if your child had a bed wetting problem. That sheet-washing nightmare would be your reality every single morning!

Well, I had a bed wetting problem…and my poor mom was that bedding washer.

I never seemed to grow out of it, like we were all hoping I would. My parents tried to tweak my water intake before bed or even buy gadgets that would buzz me awake the moment “moisture” hit the sheets. But my deep sleep always won out and my enduring mom always had to wash my bedding… again.

When I was old enough to go to church camp and stay in the dorm with my friends, this terrible curse threatened to keep me home. My private struggle would surely become public now. Because of our family’s long time involvement with Maranatha Bible Camp, I had been waiting patiently for my turn to go. I had watched my parents and older siblings leave with anticipation and return with stories of new friendships, amazing teachers, and lives transformed around them. I wanted a week of that for myself. But I couldn’t even imagine it without the shadow of my humiliating problem. I could go, but not without paying a heavy price.

Like a super hero flying in for the rescue, my mom later informed me know that she would be going to camp that week with me. Undercover as a kitchen helper, she would be able to help me take care of my situation. She had helped me in our home time and time again without getting mad about her added work. She never embarrassed me or made fun of me. In fact, she had comforted my own frustration with stories of other family members who had struggled in the same way when they were young. So, I do not recall if we discussed the details of how everything would take place at camp, but I trusted I would be okay. Her consistently loving actions told me that I would be safe.

We went to camp that summer. I went to camp that summer. I do not remember who led my family group, what scripture we studied, or what boy I liked that week. But can tell you exactly how preciously I was treated by my sweet mom. Like a cherished, family heirloom that one would take out and wear to a special party, she let me shine, but carefully protected me from scratches all the while.

Early each morning before the sun was out of bed, my mom was up. She quietly came to my bunk and gently woke me. She had dry pajamas in one hand and clean bedding in the other. I would go in the bathroom, clean up and change my clothes. She would take all the wet bedding away and replace it with soft, dry ones. Then she would tuck me in and l would go back to sleep while she washed my bedding, BY HAND this time and put them on a clothes line behind the dorm. I would later wake up with the other girls ready to start the day.

My mom’s patience, kindness, gentleness, and selflessness showed me how precious I was and am to her. Because she made a decision to handle me with care, the bed-wetting and sheet-changing years became the source of this very special memory. I am forever touched by being loved like that!

Heidi Corona

Side by Side

noreply@blogger.com (Sherri Allsbury) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 06:05:00 +0000

My parents did two things really, really well. My mother took me to church.
She made sure I was there nearly every time the doors were open. She prayed
with me. She loved me. She read me character building stories in the morning
before school, and, she took me to the youth events. I can not tell you
where I would be had she not done that. The pull of the party lifestyle was
certainly present. My mother taking me to church kept me out of such a
lifestyle. I can only imagine what hurts I would have perpetuated on myself
and others had I not been forced to go to church every week.

My dad taught me how to work. That seems to me to be an unusual concept
these days: a son having to work for essentially for the benefit of the
family alone. My brother, dad and I worked side by side for many years.
Taught me a lot about perseverance. Taugh me how do tackle big projects. How
to use my head and my hands.

A Day in the Life with my Dad. by David Brown

noreply@blogger.com (Sherri Allsbury) — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 01:12:00 +0000

My parents did all sorts of things right. I'm thankful for more great lessons and memories than should be allowed. If you are like me, and by like me, I mean in your late 30's to early 40's, you grew up in a simpler time when playing hide and seek at dusk was as technologically advanced as our playtime got. After school, we'd spend our time actually building relationships with our parents in activities we were involved, like with mom at the Moose lodge public pool, or with dad coming home from work and pitching in slacks and a tie in our pickup neighborhood baseball game. There are tons more experiences than these, but there is 1 in particular I wanted to highlight.

When I was about 11 years old, my dad took me to work with him. For that day, I saw where my dad spent 9 hours a day, 5 and 1/2 days a week as the President of a Bank. I sat in his chair, arms stretched out over his desk, interacting with his secretary over the intercom, listening in on very important phone calls, and walking the halls of the bank with my dad as others showed their respect to his presence. My dad let me into his world that day, and in doing so proved how proud of me he was. That day especially clearly, I remember being so very proud of my dad too.

Including your kids into a part of your life that takes up so much of your time and thought life should be required coursework for parents and children. It's more than okay to show your children who you are outside of the home, in fact, it will open up a whole new dynamic in your relationship with them, which is the point of it all. Thank you dad for taking me to work and validating me in ways I still don't fully understand. I'm proud of you more today than ever, and I love my parents for what they did right!

David Brown
Executive Director
Family Vision Ministries
www.Family-iD.com

A "great" grandpa! by Melany Jenkins

noreply@blogger.com (Sherri Allsbury) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 07:16:00 +0000

My parents had a tumultuous marriage and I was very upset with my dad for many years, but it is probably time to honor him by telling you what he has done right. (They were eventually divorced) He was not a great dad, and he would probably agree with that. He was either absent or overprotective. Most people would tell you that my mom was the awesome one, and she was, but since her death, my dad has filled a void as only a grandpa can.

As a grandparent, however, he is awesome. He travels to see my kids and me every year. He is not a wealthy man, and I know this is a sacrifice for him. when he gets here, he doesn't need to be entertained, he just does what we do and a little more. He finds a 'honey-do' project and works at it a little at a time. In that time, he manages to teach my boys how to do some plumbing, or electrical or how to pour cement. He listens to my daughter talk after school. He hangs out and has coffee with my husband and I. My kids LOVE it when grandpa comes, not because he buys them things (cause he can't afford it), but because he spends time with them.

Melany Jenkins

Were we crazy? by Joshua Jantz

noreply@blogger.com (Sherri Allsbury) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:21:00 +0000

My father was a pastor of small churches, and often needed to have one or more jobs to provide for his family on top of his pastoral work. When I was around the age of 11, our family was invited to spend a school year in Russia as orphanage missionaries. In order to make this work out, Dad had to sever his employment income and our family literally auctioned off almost everything we had to finance the trip (he didn't own a home). We embarked on the adventure with a few possessions tucked away in storage, the clothes/supplies in our luggage, and no plan for our life's income or wellbeing or housing once the mission project was over and we returned to the States.

Most folks would have probably thought we were crazy... and perhaps we were :) However, I look back upon that moment in time/life as a pivotal point. It was through their example that I learned what it really means to go from living in the comfort zone to letting go and living in the adventure zone! It was in many ways a freeing feeling to let go and embark on a mission of faith, trusting that God would take care of the ending.

In looking back upon many of the endeavors I have undertaken as a young adult, I realize that it was the Russia experience that my parents led our family through that set the stage and prepared my mind for a world of possibilities and gave me the courage/confidence to step out of my comfort zone and pursue endeavors that many folks my age never attempt. Not all of my endeavors have been home-runs or even base hits. But my parents led the way in my life by being willing to sacrifice for a greater good and showing by their example of risking their short-term benefits for a long-term reward that the rewards and benefits to living in the adventure zone far outweigh the short-term benefits of a life spent only in the comfort zone.

Joshua Jantz

www.cavemanwebsites.com

A soldiers story. by Larry Lewis

noreply@blogger.com (Sherri Allsbury) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:36:00 +0000

My parents have done many things right - but I am truly grateful for the way they have supported me and my siblings through all of our different adventures.

I am sure my mother panicked when I informed them that I was dropping out of Ozark Christian College to join the US Army. But she never freaked out.

When I came home for Christmas - Dad and I went out for Pizza and I said I wanted to be a soldier. He was proud of me. I was probably stupid for not waiting until the semester ended - but they never made me feel that way.

Once I deployed to Germany - mom and dad were so faithful in phone calls, care packages and letters to let me know I was loved.

I see that with my sister and brother as well - no matter where we are - mom and dad are thinking about us and praying for us.

In spite of the normal faults that parents struggle with - my mom and dad have always been a willing ear and supportive heart. We have had many disagreements - but I never ONCE felt that could never come home to warm bed or a hot meal. Even to this day - I know that my wife and kids are always welcome at my parents home.

I am convinced that this is because of their Faith - my parents are godly parents - who consider pleasing God to be the number one priority in life - that example is what keeps me pressing on.

Larry Lewis

Big Moma's House by Tony Rhone

noreply@blogger.com (Sherri Allsbury) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 03:16:00 +0000

I spent my highschool years in the home of my grandmother due to some domestic issues I had with my mother and this time with my grandmother was a time in my life I will never, ever forget.

The summer between my 8th and 9th grade year was the year I went to live with her.I lived with her until a year after graduation. It was just her, myself and my older cousin. She treated me like I was the most valuable person in her life. She cooked for me morning,noon and night. I put on about 25lbs. my first summer with her. I will never forget that the evening meal was time she and I sat down at the dinner table to eat. She never said much but just being in her presence meant the world to me.

My big momma, as we called her, was a very godly woman. I hadn't really grown up in a godly home but staying with her, the Lord was all she talked about. I must say I hated it. Every conversation was about the Lord. At 16 the Lord was not on my mind. But as years passed I began to grow up and was working a lot so that kept me from having to be involved in church.But I will never forget one of the most selfless acts she ever did. I needed a car, my first car but had no $$$$$$ or credit.

My big mama knew I was working and I didn't get into a lot of trouble, she thought again the world of me. She ended up trying to mortgage her house in order for me to get my first car. However, the banker turned her down, and I am glad he did because I probably would have screwed up somehow and I would have hated for my grandmother to lose her house because of me.

But the best thing she ever did or the thing she did right was she constantly prayed for me.
Every night when I would come home I would see this big woman 6"3 300 lbs. on her knees on the side of her bed. Though I never actually heard her call out my name, I just know that she was praying for me. For several years I refused to surrender to the Lord. Until one day I was in a car accident that could have taken my life. The very next day, Sunday I surrendered my life to Christ. I know it was only by the Grace of God and the prayers of my Big Mama that I am a child of God today.

What did my Big Mama do right? She kept praying for me!

Tony Rhone

A Chosen son. by Eric Hoover

noreply@blogger.com (Sherri Allsbury) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 02:21:00 +0000

Wow what an awesome idea. I don't know where to start. There are so many memories of how wonderful my parents are. I suppose one of the most important things I can think of to honor them is that they were unabe to have children. In 1959 they adopted my sister and 5 years later and hundreds and hundreds of dollars, visits from social workers, interviews, meetings etc. they wanted another child. God in His infinite wisdom placed me with them to complete their family. So on Friday, December 16, 1964 I was officially a Hoover. God couldn't have placed me in any better family. They loved me as their own, which I was, and am. I have always known I was adopted but never made to feel like I was anything but theirs. They have given of themselves over and above to see that my sister and I were loved, taken care of, and given everything we needed.
All my life my father arose before 6 a.m. and left for work. My mother was able to stay at home and be there for me and my friends. Supper was at 6, and bedtime at 10! Many would say I had a "Leave It To Beaver" kinda family, and that is probably right.
Finally, from the very first week I lived with Mom and Dad, Sunday was a day to rest and attend church! It wasn't a question, option, or up for discussion! I am so thankful they saw to it God was a very important part of my life. If it wasn't for their committment to family and faith, I am not sure I would have devoted my life to the ministry.
I still have them both here and I am grateful for that. However my Mom is in the beginning stages of Alzheimer's, it hurts so bad to see her loose those precious memories that we have shared over the last 45 years. I just hope God is gracious and gives her several more years of reality. His will be done.
Thanks.
Eric

They too are precious in His sight. by Sid Allsbury

noreply@blogger.com (Sherri Allsbury) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 22:26:00 +0000

My parents had a tendency to collect widows. There were several in our church as I grew up and my parents were constantly looking after them. The main focus of their concern was picking up about four little old ladies and taking them to church. Of course, that meant returning them, too.

I’m sure there were times when it wasn’t convenient. No doubt some of the ladies had a list of complaints, mostly about health issues. But, I never heard my parents complain about taking care of them. That’s rare, I think.

That love for older people was passed on to me without a word. I just learned to love and care for older people. There were several times, when I had a car and could do it, that I picked them by myself. I didn’t think a thing about it at the time. Now it appears strange to me. But, that’s the beauty of my parents example. It became natural to do it.

I think that respect for these dear older ladies has trickled down to all people. People are important, not because they can run, jump, or tell cute jokes. They are significant because of what God has invested in them. My parents got that right and I’m thankful for them today.

Sid Allsbury

It's "right" where they took us. by George Goodman

noreply@blogger.com (Sherri Allsbury) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 05:48:00 +0000

I think that this is a very sweet and endearing way to honor our parents. I love the idea. I have been meditating on this, and I have to admit, my first, visceral response is that I can think of all the bad, but I have a harder time trying to remember the good. This is why I love your idea. We need to change the way in which we look at our parents. Someone once told me to look at other people and when you feel yourself getting disappointed with them, tell yourself that they are doing the best that they know how to do at that point in time. For me, this makes it easier to accept someone else's shortcomings and allows me to more quickly forgive them. This same thought applies to the relationship that we have with our parents.

For me, I am so glad that my parents were faithful to take me to God's house regularly. I know that I would not have the knowledge or relationship with our Lord that I have now, if my parents had not been so consistent in this area. Next, my parents took us everywhere. I have seen so much of the world because my parents, even though they could not afford to do so, they loaded us all in the car and hit the road. Those are some great memories. I hope this helps.

George Goodman

Author of "UNLIKELY - The Simple Truth about Finding God's Will and Plan for Your Life". Visit www.DrGeorgeGoodman

A $20 lesson in Grace....Priceless by Jeff Jordan

noreply@blogger.com (Sherri Allsbury) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 04:21:00 +0000

I was teen and had been stealing from Mom's purse for a couple of years. One Saturday evening Mom was putting clothes away in my room when she found a $20 I had taken. I didn't know she had found it when she told me Dad wanted to talk with me. I went upstairs and Dad was sitting in the living room and asked me to sit down. He confronted me about the money and said Mom had found it putting my clothes away and was broken-hearted about it. Used to be, Dad would have taken a belt to my behind, but he opened the Bible and showed what will happen to thieves (1 Corinthians 6:10). With compassion, care, and love, my Dad so concerned for my eternal well-being, showed me God's grace as he gently rebuked my sin and I repented in tears. I went downstairs where Mom was doing laundry and apologized and we cried together as she forgave me. The way my parents handled my sin, I experienced grace and found forgiveness from both God and my parents.

Jeff Jordan

My Mother Read To Us by Greg C. Gunn

noreply@blogger.com (Sherri Allsbury) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 03:49:00 +0000

Hi Sherri,

I am sure there are many things my parents did right, but the first thing that comes to mind is something that my mother did when we traveled.My parents believed in the theory of relativity. That means we only vacationed where we had relatives. Our family would drive to another state, sleep in their beds and eat their food. LOL!

When we were on these long drives, my mother would read stories of great people in the faith, to my three siblings and I. Sometimes we would listen to stories on audio cassette. I would sit in the back seat, close my eyes and visualize these stories in my imagination. One of these stories was about the life and times of John Wannamaker. He was a great entrepreneur in the late 1800’s. He was a Christ follower obsessed with being a business man of integrity. He was the first store owner to put price tags on his merchandise and tell people how much he paid for the product and what his markup was. Up to that point every transaction in business was a negotiation. That meant if you were a person who looked poor, you would be charged less than a person who wealthy. Wannamaker brought fairness and integrity into the marketplace. Customers loved his openness and this pressured all other stores to put price tags on merchandise.

We heard many other stories from the bible, from our founding fathers and from missionaries around the world that have encouraged my faith today.

My wife Rhonda and I have seven kids anytime we pile into our Ford Excursion, and travel anywhere, we read them stories and listen to CD’s of great Christian warriors and leaders in the Faith. My mom read great stories to us, that is what she did right.

Greg C. Gunn

Founder of www.Family-ID.com

Trust and Respect by Beverly Skiles

noreply@blogger.com (Sherri Allsbury) — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 13:25:00 +0000

My parents divorced when I was ten years old. My father was always a wanderer and not a “faithful to my mom” type of man. I must say he did become a Christian later in life and totally changed. I did grow up without a father figure. My mom was a Christian but didn’t attend church. She was the disciplinarian. She loved my brother and me very much. We were not ideal kids. Ha. I have a great brother. Anyway, I especially remember as a teenager and began to date that she was always very frank with me about the facts of life. What she really did that was so right was TRUSTED Me. I never wanted to cause my mother trouble and I did not get into trouble. I respected her and she respected me. I hit some times of serious temptation but with God’s help and my mother’s trust I did not cave in to them. She was such a precious person in my life. She died in l990. We are presently listening to old tapes that were sent back and forth during our early years of being a missionary and she displays that same trust in what she had to say then to me and my family. God gave us lots of guidelines, rules and regulations to live by. He made us and knew what was best for us. The Bible is our guidebook for raising families. WE do the best we can with God’s help. I have tried to give my children trust but it seems that sometimes it was betrayed. Well, I think my mom did a very good job of that and I want to commend her for that. Being a parent is a long tiresome job but worth every minute of it.

Bev Skiles

A Single Mom's Daily Appointment by Dow Tippett

noreply@blogger.com (Sherri Allsbury) — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 01:47:00 +0000

Sherri,

I thought I would just respond here, then if you need something else I will try to make it happen, but my regular e-mail is harder to get to.

There is not one story, but many of how my mom did it right. Most importantly was the way my mother led our lives by her own. When I was eight years old my father left. Though the details of that could peak volumes to many they do not fit in this text. This reality, however, forced my mother to raise 3 boys alone. When she realized she could never make it happen by herself my mother became a student of the word.

Each morning, we would wake up to get ready for school and find our mother sitting at the kitchen table with her bible and journal open and pen busy sharing with her God the needs of her children. I believe if you asked her she would tell you that these mornings were the difference between who we are and who we might have been. Me and my brothers are far from perfect, but to look at others who were raised around us in similar situations you would hardly know that we were raised in poverty and want all our lives.

The wealth we have revealed in our lives is spiritual, we are children of the King and He was our daddy. Mom knew she couldn't raise us so she called on God and I could not be more grateful. Mom did it right.

Dow Tippett

The Hardest Phone Call To Make by Sherri Allsbury

noreply@blogger.com (Sherri Allsbury) — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 17:23:00 +0000

I was attending a Bible College in Joplin MO in 1985. I had grown up in the church; in fact my dad was a preacher. I was grounded in the faith from an early age yet often strayed off the path as a teen. But Here I was at Bible College working on a Music Ministry degree, but at that point more importantly was dating an incredible young man, who as well was a preacher’s kid. Well it was Christmas break we went to Randy’s folks for Christmas. We opened gifts on Christmas Eve, and everyone but me knew what a special night this was going to be. Randy and I had been dating for a year and we had talked often about getting married, I was in a hurry of course as many girls are, my “biological clock is ticking” I would say, I still laugh every time I think about the time I exclaimed almost in tears “ if we wait too long, I’ll be past the years of child bearing”. I was 21. Well, Randy decided he was ready to marry me and yes after almost exactly 1 year of dating, that Christmas Eve, gave me a sweet piano music box with a porcelain girl who sat at the piano. As I opened up the lid of the piano for the music, inside was an engagement ring. I was of course ecstatic, and of course said yes to his proposal.

We spent a couple days more at his folks and then went on to Kansas to visit my folks and share the exciting news. After a few days of visiting with my folks we headed back to the college. Before we made it back I stopped off at one of my best friend’s house. And during this exciting time, there was a nagging in my heart. I was beginning to have this terrible feeling that one of those sins “that will surely find you out” was about to find me out. While visiting my friend, I took a pregnancy test. And to my horror of horror, the sin of all sins, the worst of the worst, especially for 2 preachers kids…oh no, now everyone will know. Of course I had to break the news to Randy and this was surely putting a huge damper on this joyous occasion. We got back to school and still had a few days before school was to start, Randy took me to the movies and I had decided to tell him after the movie. We went to see the movie “Out of Africa” and it seemed to last 4 hours and I couldn’t tell you one thing about the whole movie for being so distraught, distracted and full of despair. After the movie I told him and we made plans to go the next day back to his parents to seek counsel. We decided to get married as soon as possible which was in one month. While at his parents’ house I of course needed to call my parents. I dreaded this immensely because of the disappointment and embarrassment this would be to my folks. I got mom on the phone, and although she had not given me any reason to believe she would yell at me and verbally abuse me for this lack of restraint, she had never made light of sin and the consequences. I was prepared for some sort of difficult conversation. But here it is, I told my mother we were moving up the date of the wedding, which we had been planning about a 8-10 month engagement, she cheerfully replied, well, I’m not surprised, are you thinking more the lines of 4-6 month engagement, I held back the tears as long as I could, but in a trembling voice I said, no mom, and in between the sobs, I said, no mom, were getting married in 1 month. And in the most Christ like, grace giving, and pure selfless love, she sweetly replied, Well Sherri, Why didn’t you tell me when you were here, we could have already started on your wedding plans. It was at that moment I truly felt and knew what grace was more than anything in my life. She spent the next 4 weeks working hard to help me have the best wedding I could and It was everything that I had always imagined and more. That’s what my mom did right. Now my dad, of course this was a huge blow to him as well, he never said anything until my wedding day. At the reception dad came up to me and as gentle and sweet as you can imagine, kissed me on the cheek, gave me a loving daddy hug and whispered the most perfect thing for me, “I’m proud of you and Randy” The love of God was demonstrated loud and clear to me that day. And that’s what my dad did right.

A COMPILATION OF GREAT STORIES

noreply@blogger.com (Sherri Allsbury) — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 05:31:00 +0000

There is much written and talked about the impact parents have made on their children. Kids who grow up in dysfunctional families, absent moms and dads, substance abuse, verbal and physical abuse and the list goes on and on. Many people today do have scars directly related to these situations and there are many counselors and therapy programs that help people overcome the pain of these types of tragic environments. This blog is written as a tribute to all the parents who have children who want to honor their parents. Not because they were perfect and did everything right, in fact we will probably discover that God in his loving kindness, in the midst of hard times and dysfunctional people and relationships, prompted and facilitated a positive experience or a meaningful event.

This blog is dedicated to first of all our Heavenly Father who sees us as irreplaceable children who loves us unconditionally and always has our best interest in mind. Secondly to my parents who throughout my whole life have been faithful to God and even in the hardest of times when many parents would have thrown in the towel and abandoned their wayward child, held steadfast to Jesus, praying and believing God would be faithful no matter what and demonstrated what grace is all about. And finally to all the parents who demonstrated a life lesson that made a positive impact on the life of someone else.

This blog is a compilation of stories of men and women who can recall a specific incident when a parent did something so right that it made an impact on them that they will never forget. By sharing these uplifting true stories, it is my desire to honor God for the work he did through them, to recognize those parents as instruments of God, and to inspire parent all over that sometimes, even the smallest “right” thing can make the biggest ’’right “ impact.

Can You Help Me?

noreply@blogger.com (Sherri Allsbury) — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 03:48:00 +0000

Hi my friend,

I am embarking on a project that has been on my heart for a couple of years now. I am starting a blog and eventually want to write a book tentatively called WHAT MY PARENTS DID RIGHT.

I am asking you to think about this and if you have a neat story that I could possibly use on my blog that you would submit the story.

What I want to do is compile a number of stories of specific instances where your parent handled a situation right and it made a positive impact on your life. I want to give a platform for people to recall good memories and give their parents honor, but even more importantly show how God is working in the lives of regular people making a positive impact. If you would like to be a part of this encouraging project and share your story, please e-mail your story to me at srallsbury@gmail.com.

Thank you for helping me complete this project that God has put on my heart to do.

Your friend,

Sherri Allsbury