Life seems to hold within it’s powerful grasp three kinds of people when it comes to monetary investments. Those who have invested in the “right things” and done well. Those who have invested in the “wrong things” and done poorly. And . . . Those who don’t have a clue what an investment even is . . . And couldn’t do a thing about it if they did know!
When people begin talking about “stock portfolio’s” and “IRA’s” many of us have to resort to the “I don’t knows!”
However, investing is a word that carries with it a whole lot of weight. It’s more than gold coins, or stock, or silver. Investment has to do with putting something in — and expecting something in return.
Long term investments take time to produce their expected end. They take the discipline of saying “yes” to certain things, and “no” to others. It is the future goal of what is coming that makes the discipline and sacrifice of today worth the doing.
As families, we are involved everyday in long-term investments. Commitments that can’t be finished in an hour, a week, or a day, yet, they are given moment by moment. These investments in relationships last longer than a life-time, they reach into eternity.
Into our children . . . We invest! When they are small, and within the influence of home we invest heavily! Christian or non Christian any good parent invests time, energy, money, food, clothing. . . And when those actions are coupled with love they feel us telling them . . . “You are worth it! You are valuable. You are loved!”
We invest in their minds by the words we speak. “I love you . . .” what awesome words to begin and close the day with. When we’ve “messed up” they know it. Simply saying, “I’m sorry . . .” those beautiful words spoken with honest sincerity cause your value to go up in their eyes!
The Christian home finds parents early on instilling within their children this hope . . . “God has an awesome purpose for you in His plan . . .” Nothing could be more true, and even though they may not admit it, it lodges deeply inside the heart of the teen whose world is making them feel topsy turvy and everything seems all mixed up.
Probably one of the greatest investments is sharing the Word of God together. Into their hearts we are laying a foundation that will last long after they are gone from our homes — and after we have left this world for the next. A tool to find the answers — a road map for the journey of life.
When we take the time to LISTEN to what THEY have to say and bring their concerns to the Heavenly Father WITH THEM, we invest the ABSOLUTE that God cares, He loves us, and He is the most important One always.
And, when the day comes they are “out on their own” our investment doesn’t end, just takes more “stock” in prayer . . . In our God hearing, and reaching across the miles to answer. Invest heavily in these family relationships. It’s a wise investment, with eternal return!
By: Janene A. Dubbeld/FGG
Take it with You
“But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children”
Psalm 103:17
“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”
Proverbs 22:6
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