Scars can run deep. They leave a lasting mark that each of us handle differently.
My dad grew up in a home where food was scarce for quite some time due to his father leaving his mom with several kids in the backwoods of Missouri. The effects of a starvation mentality from a young age has definitely left it’s mark on my him.
When he was young his uncle took him to work with him for job and afterwards they got a big steak. Uncle Hank told him, “We work hard and we eat well.” That has stuck with Dad. He has always worked very hard to make sure no one in his scope of influence goes hungry.
Being raised by a single mom, who was blessed by a church family that literally prevented them from starving to death, left another profound mark on him. Dad has always had a strong desire to help people out who are struggling, especially single moms.
The scars from Dad’s childhood could have made him bitter and had the opposite effect on him. But…he was marked as child of God and the Lord had His hand on Dad always.
I’m not saying he’s lived a perfect life or never made mistakes. He’ll be the first to tell you that too. He’s tried running from God’s calling on his life in the past. He was set apart to follow Christ and share the good news of God’s love with others however.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Hebrews 12:1 (NIV)
The Holy Spirit never stopped pursuing Dad. After a big wake up call he realized it was time to throw off everything that hindered him and follow the path God had marked out for him.
When we run we look forward to where we’re going. We don’t try looking over our shoulders to see what is behind us. I’ll admit I’ve tried that and ended up on my knees. We’ve already seen what’s behind us so we’re well aware of it so we need to focus on the path marked out in front of us.
God has a path of faith marked out for each of us. We need only to keep our eyes focused on Jesus.
I, for one, don’t want to let the marks left on me from the past define me. As soon as I accepted Jesus as my savior, God put his mark of salvation on me and I want to share the good news with others! God loves. God saves.
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Amen! I'm so grateful to be marked by Him! Love love Lauren Daigle and this song! Thank you for sharing the bible study, as well! #livefreeThursday
Hi Crystal! Thanks for stopping by. I really haven't found a song by Lauren I don't like yet. ☺ Blessings to you.
Laura, I love the thought that when we run we look forward to where we are going! I'm so guilty of focusing on what is behind me. I also love Lauren Daigle! Thanks for sharing!
I have been guilty of that as well Cindy. Thanks so much for stopping by. Blessings to you!
I, for one, don’t want to let the marks left on me from the past define me. As soon as I accepted Jesus as my savior, God put his mark of salvation on me and I want to share the good news with others! God loves. God saves. I love this. This is exactly why I write. I don't want my past to define me, I want God to define me. Thank you for sharing this at Sitting Among Friends on Wednesdays. I hope that we see you back next week. P.S. This is super sweet that you write about you dad like this.
Thanks for the kind words Jaime. Glad you stopped by.
Hi Laura, what a delight it has been stopping by your site today. I have identified with this post on many levels. As the only child of a single mother, I have vivid memories of times from my childhood when finances were limited and life seemed unfair. Then there are those unfortunate experiences on this journey of life that have left their "marks" on my heart. How thankful I am for Jesus who takes those marks, covers them with His love and leads me to a glorious destiny! Blessings to you dear blogging sister!
I love that God can work good even from our bad experiences, that he never stops loving us and pursuing us. Despite the other marks we may still have it is his marks that define us.
So grateful that Jesus takes those marks and covers them with His love! Thank you so much for stopping by and sharing.
Amen to that! It is His mark that defines us. Thanks so much for stopping by. Blessings to you!
Love that Hebrews 12 verse. Oh how often do we run from God? God has a way of never giving up on us though, doesn't he? Great post. Loved reading about your dad. Blessed to be your neighbor over at Coffee for your Heart today!
Thanks Tara! I'm excited to be working on a writing project with my dad as well. I'm amazed at the work I've already seen God do as we work together.