Your Mother, My Mother and Their Mother

When speaking about our mothers we have a choice to speak positively or negatively about them.  We can spout truth or tell lies.  We can expose or cover up the stories of our mothers.  We can do many things, but if any reader considers his or herself a child of God, we cannot dishonor them.  These women, irregardless of our personal feelings, were used to put us here on this planet and our responsibility, if we consider ourselves to be followers of Jesus, is to be beacons of light in a sinful world.

One must avoid the temptation to judge our sisters who are unhappy with their mothers for reasons only these women fully know.  However, we are to encourage these daughters to be "the bigger person" when their relationships with their mothers are in crisis--look beyond the faults of mothers and see God.  Now this doesn't mean subject yourself to emotional and physical abuse, but what it does imply is to focus on your Creator during times of turmoil even if it means you need to take a break from dear mom. 

Mothers are flawed human beings who don't always realize the magnitude of their negative statements and misdeeds.  Maybe one's mother is known for exaggerations, lying, being rude and arrogant or maybe she is a sweet woman and wouldn't hurt a flea.  God sees all.  A mother is not above the wrath of her Creator who has called her to be a parent whether she is young or old.  She is supposed to live a respectable lifestyle--the kind that her family would one day call her, "Blessed."  Yet, when she chooses to do what she wants and ignore the writing on the wall that may include an apology to children, a call to say "I love you", speak words of wisdom, or other things that her God instructs, then she is really not your problem, mine or theirs, but she is God's.

Take a moment to pray for your mother, mine and their mother.

Nicholl McGuire




 

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Growing up in the 80s -- Teachings I Recall about Money

Growing up, we learn alot about how adults spend, invest, donate, and save their money.  However, sometimes we discover things, usually the hard way, without ever being told by parents.  Pride, ignorance, selfish behavior, and impoverished mentality, can all get in the way of wisdom when it comes to doing what's right with money.  So many don't get a good start in life because of societal brainwashing that tells you, "Pay for unaffordable higher education...take out loans...save money even though you have little to live on...register for credit cards...buy a house, get a good car, get married and have children!"  All of which cost money--far too much money nowadays.  I couldn't afford any of these things in my 20s, not in my 30s and I still can't.  Yet, the generation before me, did well, they experienced the American dream.

Here's what I observed/learned growing up.

1.  You don't receive money unless you earn it.  Since it didn't reach my hands often, I had to figure out a way to get some.  So I helped extended relatives too who didn't mind paying me.
5. When I was in my tweens, I created drawings and other crafts to make money.
2.  The allowance was only received when chores was completed and there was no raise.  I was 13 years old at the time.  One of the things I remember was receiving $5 a week for washing car and vaccumming inside once a week.  Payment was on Fridays.
3.  I was expected to use some of my allowance and part of the money earned from work to pay for basic essentials like: deodorant, feminine products, etc. when I turned 15 years ( I had obtained my worker's permit).
4.  Good grades was expected and if I didn't meeet expectations there were consequences.  Money for As stopped overtime.
5.  Debit cards were non-existant.
6.  I overheard quite often adults complaining about credit cards and other bills and I thought, "Why do they spend so much if they don't like paying the companies back?"
7.  I was discouraged from going into my piggybank (the type you had to shake if you wanted a few coins to fall out--it wasn't easy) to buy unnecessary things such as candy and other snacks.  When I became an adult, I really needed those funds in the piggy bank and the only way I could get to them was to crack that piggybank on concrete.
8.  Family never shared anything about investments.  They led you to believe they didn't have money so you wouldn't ask or tell others they had any.
9.  When I noticed adults donating money to charitable groups and schools, they didn't always do it happily and wasn't very generous either.  Some who supposedly helped others were very adamant about being paid back or else.  I wondered, "Why bother 'helping' people if you are going to be rude and a tightwad about it?"
10.  I must admit, I never went without bread growing up.  Once I became an adult, there was still no hand-outs.  You either had to work out a deal or ask for mercy when it came to emergency situations.

Based on my experiences, I tell my children that they can't get any money from me without earning it.  Over the years, I have played games with them using money.  I have also bought many workbooks and shared flashcards related to money.  I can only hope that they will be able to take control of their finances and don't leave it up to others to dictate who, where and what they should spend their earnings on. 

I personally believe that many people don't know what it is like to hold their own paycheck in their hands, track their own spending, and count their own money they have earned in their wallets.  As a result of not being able to do these things, they are often buying without thinking which puts more money in the pockets of the elite.  Desperate to get more money, they sell talents and skills for cheap which once again helps further the agendas of the elitists. 

I think it is so sad to live in a world that rarely gives anything worthwhile for free ie.) like education and medical care for all (not just select income classes, clubs, etc.) at top quality facilities.  Maybe one day someone or some group will sincerely reach back and help without strings attached. 

Nicholl McGuire  
 

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