You Raised Me Up

Column Post by Lisa Easterling

I was raised with boundaries, and if in my childish folly I challenged them, the rod of correction drove it far from me. Who knew the writers of the Bible could be so spot-on?

I was taught that respect was given before it was earned, and that politeness is never out of season. I was taught that a job worth doing was worth doing right the first time, and that the world doesn’t owe me a favor. I was raised to say ma’am and sir, and if that’s offensive I’m sorry, but it’s how I roll.

I was raised to believe that chivalry isn’t dead, and to accept it gratefully. I was taught to believe the best in others, and to always respect their time. I was taught that my word is my bond, that what I do and say reflects on my family, so to choose wisely.

I was taught that love is unconditional, and that kindness and a strong work ethic are part of a good person’s fabric. I was taught that if I said I’d be there at five, to be there a little early—and that if I was going to be late it had better be a rare thing and to call and let somebody know or have a good reason why I didn’t.

I was taught to appreciate the little things in life and not to sass my parents—even when I thought they were wrong—because they were the parents, that’s why. Plus, they were older and had been around the block more times.

As I’ve gotten older I have come to appreciate my upbringing all the more as I observe the way people treat one another.

I will always be grateful that my parents didn’t have to worry about getting arrested for spanking a child because I’m far from perfect but I love and serve people from the heart whether they love and serve me in return–and sadly they often don’t.

I am glad I’m the woman I am today, imperfect but striving to improve and glad for the chance to live in this big wide world for a time. And when God calls me home, I hope He is as happy to see me as I will be glad to see Him, and to at last be reunited with my parents who thought enough of me to do the hard thing and choose parenting over the buddy system.

I thank God that I was raised, not lowered, believed in and not ignored, celebrated and not simply tolerated.

My prayerful longing is to hand down a legacy of parenting that will keep producing good people who are grateful for the way they were raised.

Because the world is a better place when parents really are parents. It lets kids be kids who have a fighting chance of growing up to be good parents themselves.

Thank you, Daddy and Mama, for raising me up.

 

P.S. We’d love to know your thoughts; be sure to share in the comments section below. This month we will draw TEN winners from our commenters and the winners will receive one of these two  books, Hope for a Hurting Heart or To Let You Know I Care by our featured author this month, Cheryl Karpen

Lisa Easterling is a lifelong resident of the Tampa Bay area alongside her husband Steve, five children, and two grandchildren. A pioneer for home education in Florida, she has served in various areas of Christian ministry for the past 32 years. Lisa is a lifelong writer, editor, creative writing coach, and Site Director for Write Where It Hurts. Her favorite place to write is near the ocean, and she particularly loves helping others to fall in love with words. Lisa blogs at www.lisaeasterling.com and can be reached by emailing blue@lisaeasterling.com.

Read more encouraging stories from brave-hearted women here. Be sure to grab your free copy of inspirational quotes and writing prompts while you’re there. (Look over on the right hand side!)

One thought on “You Raised Me Up

  1. Hi Lisa,
    When I read your post this morning, the first thought I had was “thank God for parents like that!” I work with children and adolescents who have been abused, neglected, and abandoned, and I myself was raised in a very neglectful home. Some parents, with the best intentions, leave out so much, thinking that it is the school’s job to teach children life lessons of courage, integrity, self-control. But even those of us who were not so lucky can turn it around. With God’s help and healing in our lives, we can change the outcome of so many future generations of our own family! My family line includes much in the way of alcoholism and suicides, depression and anxiety. But God came in to my life and helped me raise three beautiful children into successful adults with wonderful families of their own. And when I say God helped me…I’m not kidding!

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