Parenting and Religion

Sarah Palin, John McCain’s running mate, is a mom. But she isn’t just any mom. She is a mom who stepped in to help the world change for the better, and I believe that in part she did it because of her kids.
Her beliefs, her strength, and her determination to see change in Government, make her a wonderful choice for VP.
Her personality that has been shown through her speech and the things that have been publicized about the changes she worked for in Alaska, make me think that if I knew her, we would be friends. She seems very down to earth, and personable.
I am impressed with the things she has accomplished, and the fact that she is not a political player. She may be republican, and she may have strong ideals, but she is friends with and offers respect to others who see things differently. Right down to even appointing people from other parties to work with her staff.
I like the idea of someone coming into office, who will actually try to downsize Government, rather than increase Governmental power. John McCain and Sarah Palin will do that.
I know this isn’t a political blog, but I am so impressed with what I know about her, and what I have seen so far, I had to blog about it.
I guess I am impressed mostly because when I look at her, I see a mom like me. Her family comes first, she shops for her own groceries. She is a hockey mom, and I am a soccer mom. We both Govern, but my Governing is only within my family.
She has the guts to Govern the people, and to do it with real Integrity.
Hockey mom, soccer mom, not much difference; as long as we both stand for what is right, and try to make the world a better place for our kids.
Sarah Palin, I hope you win. I kinda feel like if you win, I win.
From one mom to another, doing the best we can from where we stand.

Last night we went to the calling hours for my son’s friend. I have never seen anything like it.
We waited in a line that wrapped around to the back of the funeral home, for an hour and a half. When we came out to leave, there were as many people in line as when we got there.
One of the funeral directors told Joe (my son) that he had never seen anything like it. He estimated that there were between 1500 and 2000 people who came through the doors.
It amazes me the amount of support and love of this young man that has been shown.
When we greeted his mother, my husband told her we were praying for her and the family and friends. She grasped our hands and said “Please keep praying. God’s grace is what is getting us through this.”
It stands out to me that God is there, as whatever we need when we need it.
When we need forgiveness, He is there.
When we need hope, He is there.
When we need encouragement, He is there.
When we need a reason to go on, He is there.
When we need strength, He is there.
When we need mercy, He is there.
When we need love, He is there.
When we need comfort, He is there.
When we need grace, He is there.

Whatever we need, when we need it, whether for ourselves or to offer to someone else, He is there for us.
What a mighty God we serve! Everything we need, and just when we need it most.
I thank God, He is there.

Death of a friend is never easy to deal with. When the one doing the dealing is young, and the friend was also young, even more difficulty can arise.
Questioning God is a big thing.
My son lost a friend yesterday. He is hurting.
This friend was one of those kids who has hung out with for about 10 years.
Once in the party scene, now not, my son tried to still be a good friend.
He tried to show his partying friends the love of God, and sometimes was mocked by them because of his beliefs.
The friend who died was one of the mockers.
What does a true friend do when someone they really care about won’t respect their right to their own beliefs, and actually mocks them outrightly?
This true friend still stuck by him, and told him the truth; drugs, drinking, partying will end up taking you somewhere you don’t want to go.
Self medicating won’t give you peace.
Jesus loves you no matter what you have done or where you have gone.
God accepts you no matter what condition you are when you come to him- after all, he did accept a dead man named Lazarus, who stunk and was still in his grave clothes. He even helped him get cleaned up. He still helps us get cleaned up, from where we are when we call on His name, the only name that will bring salvation, healing, eternal life, and yes, peace to live on this earth and deal with everything that comes our way.
Now, a friend is dead, a son is hurting, and love says believe the best.
Love tells me to believe that even in those last moments, the friend could have called on the the name above all names, the name of JESUS.
Right now, I would rather do what love says, than what my observation says.
I choose to believe love, and I pray for my son, and his friends family and other friends.
Death is hard.
24 is too young to die.