"The doctor's exact words were 'People drinking these drinks are playing Russian Roulette with their lives.' I was blown away and couldn’t believe just one drink could do this damage"... And KIDS can buy these anywhere.
A South Carolina high school valedictorian is going viral for her very faith-based graduation speech. Lydia Owens, who was senior class president in addition to earning her class’ top academic honor, encouraged her classmates with a sentiment you don’t often hear at graduations. She told her classmates that whether they do or don’t accomplish their goals, that is not what defines them.
“Even if you accomplish all of your dreams or none of them at all, you are still valuable and you are still good enough because you are made in the image of God,” she said.
Still valuable. Still good enough. Owens gave her classmates the gift of a message that the world they are about to enter into will certainly not give them.
Owens’ speech was only three minutes long, but it was laden with important truths for her fellow classmates. Despite reaching academic success, she told them that her definition of success in general was completely redefined by tragedy two years earlier when her mom passed away.
“When tragedy struck my life, it was not my grades nor my accomplishments that helped me navigate through that loss. When everything else in my life felt uncertain, the only person I could depend on to stay the same was Jesus,” she testified.
In an interview with local station WHNS, Owens said more about the woman who raised her and how she impacted her faith.
“She always pushed me to be my best self and always encouraged me in my faith,” she told WHNS. “She’s the reason that I have such a strong faith. She was the example of how to be a Godly woman and how to love people intentionally.”
I have no doubt that her mom’s example as well as her faith in Christ will keep pushing Lydia ahead as she enters college at Anderson University this fall, where she plans to major in elementary education. Hopefully one day she can also encourage her future students that no matter what, they too are made in the image of God and are enough.
High school class valedictorian Alem Hadzic had a much different graduation day on May 16 than the one he’d worked so hard for throughout his education career.
The 18-year-old Early College High School valedictorian took the stage at his graduation ceremony to deliver his speech—just hours after his father’s funeral.
“People were coming over to wish me luck and I was kind of blowing them off,” Hadzic told TODAY. “In my head, I was thinking, ‘Can I do this?’”
Only a few of his close friends even knew his father had passed away just one day prior, leaving the graduation audience shocked when he revealed the events of his day.
“My father died yesterday, May 15, 2024, and I attended his funeral today, right before graduation,” Hadzic said in his speech, per a video posted on Facebook. “That’s why my shoes are muddy and my arms are shaking, because I had to carry him into his grave and bury him.”
The 18-year-old’s words were met with gasps from the audience as he revealed that his father’s funeral had taken place just hours before he landed at the podium in front of them.
A Private Battle
Hadzic’s father had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer during his senior year. The 52-year-old died just one day before his son’s high school graduation.
“I can’t stand up here and pretend I want to be doing this speech right now but I can’t throw something away that he worked so hard for me to achieve,” he continued.
Hadzic, who will attend the University of Texas Austin in the fall to study chemical engineering, shared in his speech that he plans to make his late father proud.
“I am going to spend every hour of every day working as hard as I can to achieve all my goals because that’s what he wanted,” he said.
Emotionally he added, “I’m going to do it for him.”
Hadzic ended his speech by encouraging the audience to turn to their loved ones and say they would do the same for them, before walking over to accept his diploma.
He received a standing ovation.
Alem Hadzic says he had his speech written out, but he went rogue when speaking about his dad.
“I had a new influx of emotions and I couldn’t just read off a script,” he said in an interview.“I had to talk about my experience, and I had to talk from the heart.”
Since delivering his speech on May 16, Alem Hadzic has received an outpouring of love and support from people around the country.
“It’s so comforting. Strangers are sharing their experiences with me so that I don’t feel so alone,” he says. “I’m responding to every single person.”
As the class of 2024 graduates and the school year comes to a close, there’s a new trend happening on social media that has all of us sentimentals feeling unwell over how fast time flies.
In a now-viral video posted by Garry Tausch, the principal of Louisville High School in Ohio, a group of kindergarteners wave at the camera outside of their classroom. One by one, they take turns jumping over the camera as the frame switches to a now High School Senior in clad caps and gowns.
Jenn Wilson, a communications coordinator at Louisville High School in Ohio, came up with the idea. The video enlisted current kindergarteners (the class of 2036) as well as the class of 2024.
“Over the past few months, every parent I’ve spoken with has said the same thing: ‘In the blink of an eye, your kids are grown,’” Wilson told TODAY.
The video, which has garnered viral attention, is appropriately captioned: “Louisville High School Class of 2024. Don’t blink!”
Principal Tausch, who posted two variations of the trend in honor of the class of 2024 (and the class of 2036) says the videos made him emotional, especially the part where the now-graduates go back and bring the kindergarteners along with them.
“The visualization is very powerful,” Tausch says. “It’s that quick and they’re gone.”
“Oh my God, these are not my children and I’m sitting here with tears in my eyes. This is the most amazing graduation video I’ve ever seen,” one person wrote.
“That’s about as fast as it feels watching your babies grow up!” Another quipped.
“I wasn’t prepared!” Exclaimed another.
Several of the graduates featured echoed the same sentiment, shocked by how quickly time flies.
Brooke Haren, one of the graduating seniors featured in the video says she remembers being little and feeling like her graduation year, 2024 was so far away.
“Then all of the sudden you’re walking across the stage with your class,” Haren says. “I still can’t believe it’s over.”
Matti Benson, who is headed to University of Maryland, feels the exact same way as Haren.
“We blinked and now we’re getting ready for college,” Benson says.
Congratulations to all of the graduating seniors of the class of 2024.
In the mosaic of human emotions, tears are among the most profound expressions of our inner lives. They can signify deep sorrow, overwhelming joy, intense frustration, or heartfelt empathy. Within the sacred texts of the Bible, there exists a poignant verse that speaks directly to the significance of our tears: Psalm 56:8. This verse not only acknowledges the reality of our suffering but also offers a profound understanding of God’s intimate care for each of us.
Understanding the Tears in a Bottle Verse: Psalm 56:8
“Record my misery; list my tears on your scroll — are they not in your record?” (Psalm 56:8 NIV). In this heartfelt plea, the psalmist David expresses a profound truth about the nature of God’s relationship with us. He acknowledges that God is aware of every sorrow and collects every tear we shed, symbolizing His deep compassion and understanding.
The Symbolism of Tears in a Bottle
The imagery of collecting tears in a bottle has its roots in ancient customs. In times past, tear bottles, or “lachrymatories,” were used to catch and preserve tears as a memorial to the depth of one’s grief or love. By invoking this image, the Bible communicates that God values our tears as precious indicators of our heart’s condition.
Divine Remembrance and Personal Relationship
Psalm 56:8 reveals the personal nature of God’s relationship with us. He is not a distant observer; He is intimately acquainted with our pain, fears, and struggles. The act of collecting our tears signifies His attentiveness to every aspect of our lives, suggesting a God who is deeply invested in our well-being.
Assurance and Comfort in Times of Sorrow
This verse provides immense comfort and reassurance. Knowing that God remembers our pain and values our tears can bring solace in times of distress. It assures believers that their suffering is not unnoticed and that their tears are a form of prayer, a silent yet profound plea for divine intervention.
Exploring the Questions Around Psalm 56:8
What is a Tear Bottle in the Bible?
A tear bottle, or lachrymatory, in biblical times, was a flask used to collect tears as a testament to someone’s sorrow or love. In the context of Psalm 56:8, it symbolizes God’s collection and remembrance of our sorrows.
What Does God Say About Our Tears?
The Bible portrays God as a compassionate deity who understands human suffering and collects our tears as a testament to His empathetic nature. He sees every tear, hears every cry, and is present in every moment of heartache.
The Spiritual Significance of Tears
Spiritually, tears can be seen as prayers too profound for words, expressions of the soul’s deepest cries for help. They are a testament to our vulnerability and humanity and, according to scripture, a form of communication with God that He acknowledges and treasures.
What Will God Do with My Tears?
While the Bible does not provide a direct answer, it implies that God uses our tears to draw us closer to Him, to refine our faith, and to remind us of His constant presence and care. Our tears are not in vain; they are seeds of hope, leading to eventual healing and understanding.
The Gift of Tears in the Bible
The “gift of tears” can be understood as the ability to express one’s innermost feelings and to connect with God on a profound level. It is a gift because it represents the heart’s sincere cry and the possibility of eventual consolation and divine response.
Reflecting on the Comfort of Psalm 56:8
The knowledge that God collects our tears is more than a mere metaphor; it is a spiritual reality that speaks to the depth of God’s love for us. Each tear we shed is a prayer, a moment of honesty with our Creator, and a step towards healing.
Applying Psalm 56:8 to Our Lives
Embrace Your Emotions: Allow yourself to express your feelings before God. Remember that He understands every tear and hears every unspoken word.
Find Comfort in God’s Presence: In moments of sorrow, lean into the comfort that God offers. He is with you, collecting your tears and recording every moment of distress.
Seek Healing and Understanding: Use your times of suffering as opportunities to grow closer to God, to seek His wisdom, and to find peace in His promises.
Share Your Journey: Your experience of finding comfort in God can be a testimony to others. Share how your tears have been a bridge to a deeper understanding of God’s compassion.
The Sacredness of Our Tears
The message of Psalm 56:8 is a timeless reminder of the sacredness of human tears and the profound compassion of God. In a world where tears are often seen as signs of weakness, this verse offers a divine perspective: our tears are valuable, they matter to God, and they are a powerful form of communication with our Creator. When we shed tears, whether they are tears of joy, sorrow, pain, or gratitude, we are expressing the depths of our emotions and our vulnerability before God. It’s in those moments of tears that we can find solace in knowing that God is near, ready to comfort us with His love and understanding.
Our tears are not wasted; they are precious to God, collected in His bottle as a testament to our humanity and our connection to Him. In embracing the sacredness of our tears, we acknowledge our need for divine intervention and the healing that only God can provide. As we surrender our tears to Him, we open ourselves to receive His peace and restoration, trusting in His promise to wipe away every tear from our eyes (Revelation 21:4).
Dr. Jack Hetzel is the pastor of First United Methodist in Big Sandy, Texas. Hetzel is a World War II veteran, has written eight books, is the president and CEO of Hetzel & Hetzel Enterprises, and was a military science instructor at Texas A&M. But his many accomplishments didn’t include one thing that always nagged at him: the 99-year-old didn’t have a high school diploma. That changed this year when he joined Big Sandy High School’s graduation ceremony and walked across the stage to receive his high school diploma.
Dr. Hetzel says he was forced to drop out of school when he was in the third grade, and later received his GED in 1948. Since then he has dreamed about getting his diploma.
“It’s very exciting,” Hetzel said. “You see, when you have little education and then you have to come up through life and you have to front life with little education, you have to learn somehow.”
The school Dr. Hetzel attended growing up had no record of him attending, which made it hard for him to get his desired diploma. But that missing link never stopped him from learning. He says he sought out alternative ways to learn. Hetzel said he would look to the people around him as teachers. “If I got a question, I’d go to somebody who knew and asked them the question, and then I would use it in everyday life.”
The World War II and Korean War veteran fought in the Battle of the Bulge, Normandy, and in many other major battles while serving the United States. It was especially fitting that on this past Memorial Day, the Texas Senate recognized Hetzel by awarding him his high school diploma, and effort initiated by Sen. Bryan Hughes’ resolution.
“We’re proud of him,” said Sen. Hughes. “He’s someone that I represent, so I’m glad to brag about him and tell the story. It was fun for us.”
Big Sandy High School’s superintendent told KETK, “We’re really proud to be able to give something that means so much to him. It’s going to be one of the highlights of my school-year for sure.”
The Methodist pastor told KETK news during an interview, “Ninety-nine years of age; that’s something to be blessed about. I know my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ — that’s enough to be blessed about. How much more do I need?”
Losing someone we love or care about deeply is an intensely personal experience, and the condolences we receive from others, while well-intentioned, can sometimes leave us at a loss for how to respond. Here, we explore meaningful, respectful, and heartfelt ways for how to respond to “I’m sorry for your loss,” helping you navigate these interactions with grace and appropriateness.
How to Respond to “I’m Sorry for Your Loss”: 10 Thoughtful Ways
Understanding the Power of Gratitude in Grief
1. Simple Acknowledgment
“Thank you for your kindness.”
“I appreciate your support during this time.”
Expressing gratitude is often the simplest and most effective way to respond to a condolence. It acknowledges the person’s sympathy without the need for an extensive conversation, which can be particularly useful in moments of deep grief or when facing numerous condolences at a funeral or memorial service.
2. Sharing a Memory
“Thank you. Hearing that reminds me of the time…”
“That means a lot. They always spoke so highly of you.”
Sharing a brief memory or mention of the deceased can personalize your response and foster a moment of connection. This approach can be especially meaningful if the person expressing condolences knew the deceased well.
Embracing Emotional Honesty
3. Being Open About Your Feelings
“Thank you. It’s a tough time, and I’m just trying to take things day by day.”
“I appreciate it. It’s really hard.”
It’s okay to admit that you’re struggling or finding the situation difficult. Often, being honest about your feelings can help in processing grief, and it lets others know that it’s alright to talk about the loss.
4. Requesting Support
“Thank you. I might need some company soon; maybe we can get together?”
“Thanks for your thoughts. It would be great to talk more about it sometime.”
If you feel up to it, using this moment to ask for further emotional support or companionship can be beneficial. It lets others know that their continued presence and support are welcome.
Respecting Cultural and Personal Variations
5. Respecting Cultural Sensitivities
“Thank you. Your prayers are greatly appreciated.”
“I’m grateful for your thoughts at this time.”
Different cultures express and deal with griefdifferently. Acknowledging condolences with an understanding of cultural expressions of sympathy (like prayers or specific rituals) shows respect and appreciation for those gestures.
An Indiana fourth-grader took his own life earlier this month after enduring what his family has called severe bullying at the hands of several students.
10-year-old Sammy Teusch had pointed out a fellow classmate to his dad on May 4th while attending his big brother’s soccer game. That classmate along with several others had been relentlessly bullying Sammy, his dad says. The next morning, Sammy died by suicide. He was found in his bedroom by his 13-year-old brother, Xander.
Sammy, the youngest of nine children in a blended family, became the target of relentless bullying shortly after the family relocated from Pensacola, Florida to Greenfield, Indiana, in 2022.
“Sammy was smaller than a lot of the other kids, so it started with that,” Sammy’s father Samuel Teusch told People.
Teusch says he always encouraged his son to find compassion for those who were targeting him, reminding him that other kids may not have a good home with a loving mommy and daddy.
“I would contact the school, it would slow down for a little bit, and then ramp back up.”
After Sammy got glasses in the spring of 2022, the bullying got worse. He thought he’d picked out cool frames that “he absolutely loved … until he went to school the next day,” Teusch says. When Sammy got home, with his glasses in his hand, “He said, ‘I’m never wearing these things again. Today was horrible,’” his dad says. “They were tearing him apart at school and on the bus.”
Sammy often responded to the bullying by hiding under desks, or locking himself in the bathroom. Rather than addressing the bullying that was causing him to hide in the first place, the school often told Teusch that Sammy was a “discipline problem.”
Beyond looks and size, kids attacked Sammy through making fun of his mom, who works as a custodian at the local middle school.
“That was 100,000 times worse than calling him names,” Teusch says. “He would stand up when it came to her. ‘You don’t talk about my mommy.'”
Sammy had been cornered by a bigger, older student who called his sister names and threatened to beat him up.
In another incident, a kid “took Sammy’s iPad out of his hand and hit him in the head with it as hard as he could. He broke his glasses, he cut his face, he gave him a black eye. And they kicked Sammy off the bus,” Teusch says. “This was the fifth or sixth time he was in trouble for hiding or getting hit.”
“We now have a pair of the young boy’s ‘broken glasses’ which now lie on a ‘memorial shrine’ his siblings made,” Teusch told FOX 59.
His parents documented the cuts and scrapes and bumps he came home with from school, Teusch says.
Sammy’s Last Day
On the Saturday before he died, when Sammy pointed out his bullies to his dad, Teusch encouraged his son to stand up to them with him by his side.
“I was thinking me being there would give him some stand up strength to tell the kid, ‘Leave me alone.’” He didn’t.
The family left the game and had an outing downtown Indianapolis before ending the day with hot dogs and roasted marshmallows at home.
Sammy’s sister had a friend over that night and the bully from the soccer game kept calling his sister’s friend’s phone with a message for Sammy: “Oh, you wait until Monday. I’m getting you. I’m getting you,” his dad says. “That happened several times.”
Sammy’s older brother Xander took him to play Roblox and the boys fell asleep on the couch.
The next morning, Sammy was laying with his mom and asked for pancakes. Teusch took Xander to the store with him to get supplies. When the two returned home, he sent Xander to go get Sammy, who had gone to his room.
After opening Sammy’s door, Xander immediately screamed with horror, “Sammy’s dead, Sammy’s dead,” he said. “I’m not kidding, I’m not kidding, I’m not kidding.”
Emergency response teams worked on Sammy for 30 minutes before getting his pulse. After getting him to the hospital, doctors worked to save his life for another hour, but he didn’t make it.
The Greenfield Police Department has an open investigation in Sammy’s case as they interview teachers, students and family members.
Greenfield’s police chief Brian Hartman has been rocked by Sammy’s death.
“I get choked up about it. At the end of the day, regardless [of] the reason for this, it is a sad and devastating time in our society that we actually have children that are 10 years old, younger than that, older than that, who feel that their life is that bad that they have to take their life,” Hartman says. “And it is sad that a 10-year-old even knows how to do this. And I know there’s a lot of blame going around.”
In the weeks since Sammy’s death, his family has struggled to process the insurmountable grief.
“This can’t be fixed,” Teusch says, “So I have to create something to fix it for others.”
He is asking people to sign a petition urging Congress to take up legislation to curb bullying nationwide, seen as a nearly endemic childhood problem but one that can have disastrous consequences.
Remembering Sammy
On Tuesday, May 14, hundreds gathered to lay Sammy to rest. Over 100 motorcyclists, hosted by Iron Sharpens Iron Motorcycle Ministry, showed up to show their support.
In a service that was held in a nearby auditorium, people shared fond memories of the beautiful boy with a huge smile.
The family’s neighbor Andrew McIntosh delivered Sammy’s eulogy, sharing how the 10-year-old quickly befriended his son Judah after moving into the neighborhood.
“Right there in my hallway was a handsome little boy that I swear could have been pulled right out of an Andy Griffith episode or a Norman Rockwell painting,” he said, according to the Greenfield Reporter. “I knew immediately that my son had made a good friend.”
He said Sammy seemed popular among the local kids and was often seen with “the biggest grin on his face,” adding: “He just looked up at me sweating, those glasses that rose up on his cheeks over a smile that was way too big for his little face.”
“But when he did smile, and I mean really smile, he just seemed to suck the darkness out of every corner in the room,” he concluded.
After burying their youngest on Wednesday, Teusch said this is the longest Sammy has ever been away from them.
A GoFundMe has been organized to help the family; to date it has raised more than $72,000.
“I love him. He’s forever going to be 10,” Teusch says.
Chandler David Smith, a prominent real estate investor, Instagram influencer and YouTuber, has captivated audiences with his heartfelt journey through unimaginable loss and the path to new beginnings. His channel, known for its candid and inspiring content, took a poignant turn when his late wife, Maddy, was diagnosed with cancer. After a vigilant fight, and a terminal diagnosis, Chandler has since shared his journey of unimaginable loss, capturing the hearts of those across the internet and around the world.
Maddy Smith’s Cancer Diagnosis and Battle
Maddy Smith was the epitome of health and vitality, having recently completed her first triathlon when her life took a sudden and drastic turn. Nearly three years ago, during a routine check-up, Maddy was diagnosed with late-stage three colon cancer. The news was devastating for the Smith family, but Maddy’s resilience and positive outlook provided a beacon of hope. She underwent surgery immediately, followed by six grueling months of chemotherapy.
For a brief period, it seemed the worst was over. Maddy’s health appeared to improve, and the Smiths resumed building their dream home, believing the cancer had been defeated. However, their relief was short-lived. During a follow-up appointment, blood work revealed the cancer had returned. Further scans diagnosed Maddy with parietal carcinomatosis, and she was given a heartbreaking prognosis of six months to a year to live.
Despite the terminal diagnosis, Maddy’s determination to remain positive and present for her family never wavered. Her courage during those final months left an indelible mark on Chandler and their children. Maddy passed away six months after the terminal diagnosis, just weeks before her 27th birthday at her home next to the love of her life and her beautiful children. A video Chandler made in honor of Maddy has amassed nearly 7 million views in the year since her passing.
Chandler’s Grief and Struggle
Chandler’s grief was profound and all-encompassing. In a recent video detailing the harrowing months that followed losing Maddy, he openly shares how he struggled to cope with the loss of his wife, often feeling like life without Maddy was impossible. The depth of his despair was compounded by the responsibility of caring for their children while grappling with his own heartache. He admits that the period following Maddy’s death was one of the darkest in his life.
Grieving is a deeply personal journey, and Chandler faced the duality of wanting to honor Maddy’s memory by being present and hopeful while also feeling an immense void in his life. He describes the experience of grief as a wild ride, one where he had to choose between succumbing to misery or finding a way to rebuild his life. Chandler’s raw honesty about his struggles offers solace to others experiencing similar pain, demonstrating that it’s possible to find light amidst darkness.
The Community’s Support
During his darkest hours, Chandler was buoyed by an outpouring of support from his community. Friends, family, and even strangers rallied around him and his children, providing not just practical help but emotional sustenance. Chandler expresses deep gratitude for the countless acts of kindness, from phone calls and letters to food deliveries and heartfelt messages. This network of support played a crucial role in helping him navigate the tumultuous waters of grief.
It’s not every day you watch an impromptu video from a regular person on the Internet and get massive patriotic chills—because you know it’s just that special—but this rare performance is the exception.
Star Genleah Swain, Florida resident and assistant principal at Jefferson Middle/High School, was in Washington D.C. when a friend asked her to sing on camera in front of the historic Lincoln Memorial.
Swain was hesitant and didn’t want the attention, but finally gave in and said yes.
When she started singing people around the memorial were still active, kids playing and parents snapping pictures, but soon they all stopped in their tracks as Swain’s booming voice echoed off the Lincoln statue and reverberated throughout the memorial.
At the end of the song, the entire audience burst into applause. They had all witnessed something incredibly special, and they knew it.
Abraham Lincoln, our 16th president, was assassinated just after the end of the Civil War on April 14, 1865. Known for his work to abolish slavery, Lincoln is an iconic figure for both freedom and equality. The inspirational statue is 19 feet tall and was carved by the Piccirilli brothers. It took four long years to complete—and it was the perfect setting for this small but beautiful act of patriotism.
Here are a couple of responses that capture the beauty of the moment.
“I haven’t heard the Anthem sung with this much passion since Whitney Houston did back in 1990 at Superbowl 25…as a retired Marine you made me feel awesome,” wrote Jay Dillinger.
“Beautiful person. Beautiful woman. Beautiful voice. Beautiful American spirit. It’s people like her that help make America great!!” wrote Mike Riedel.
“Omg! Look at how everyone stopped what they were doing to listen to this young lady sing the National Anthem at the Lincoln Memorial! AMAZING! She needs to sing the National Anthem at the 2017 Super Bowl!!!!!” Wrote Nay Michelle.
In response to the overwhelming love on social media, Swain wrote these beautiful words on her Facebook page, “I see now, God is getting ready to do something big from what wasn’t even planned…almost 1M views. Thank you so much Kermit Virgil and my Marching 100 fam for spreading it like wildfire…and my friends and family who put me up to it! And alllllll the ppl who have sent literally hundreds of messages, blessings, and compliments. Love you all!!!!!”
Hats off to you Star—and we agree—God is doing something big in and through you!
I’ve been a mother-in-law for 23 years now. And there are things I’ve love for my daughter-in-law to know.
And the things I’ve learned over the years have come mostly from the mistakes I’ve made.
I’ve had lots of opportunities to learn with having [five] kids — three daughters and two sons — and all of them married. In addition to my own experiences, I’ve also discovered many insights from older women, as well as from hanging out with younger women.
After asking a few questions and listening closely to their responses, it’s become increasingly clear that many of us share similar fears, struggles, and wishes for a better relationship.
My hope is that these 10 things will give you, my a little insight into the heart of your own mother-in-law . . . .
10 Things I’d Love My Daughter-in-Law To Know About Me
1. I really want to have a good relationship with you.
I am scared that I’ll mess up. And I will.
One mother-in-law expressed it this way:
As a mother-in-law, I wish my daughter-in-law knew how frightened I am that she won’t love and/or accept me and I will be locked out of a full relationship with her, my son, and future grandchildren. I am nervous to be myself and worry about a glass wall between them and me. I know I will always be in their life, but worry that it could be a formality and not true love.
2. Some of us come from a dysfunctional family.
We may have had a poor model or no model at all.
This hampers me in trying to establish a good relationship. If you consider my family of origin, it may enable you to understand a little bit why I do — or don’t do — what I do.
I need your grace.
3. When you married, I gave my son to you.
You are to be the number one woman in his life now, not me.
However because he’s been mine for his whole life, it might take me awhile to live into this reality. I know that your marriage relationship is the primary one now—not mine with him. I want to enable you to “leave and cleave’ well. (Genesis 2:24)
4. I don’t want to judge, or compete, or control.
When I step over this line you can respond by gently saying, I know you are only trying to help but this decision has to be your son’s and mine.
5. As badly as I want to be close to you, I need to give us time.
The first two years may feel awkward for both of us. We are creating something new, and new things take time. That’s okay.
6. I long for you to feel like my daughter.
I want to have a relationship with you that is separate from my son. I want to communicate with you, to encourage your gifts, to listen to you.
You need to know that I’m interested in you because of you.
7. It means the world to [me] when you initiate contact with me.
Call me; email me; text me just to say “hey” or to find out how you can pray for me. Come to see me. Suggest ways we can be together.
I can be hesitant in initiating because I’m insecure and I don’t want to overwhelm you, so it helps when you reach out to me.
8. Please ask me questions about my life.
What was it like which I was a child? Who had a positive influence on me growing up? What is a happy memory? Ask me to share my faith journey with you. Ask me how you can pray for me in the coming weeks.
Every human being has a desire to be known. And the fact that you want to really know and understand me is incredibly encouraging to me.
9. It helps me when you appreciate specific things about me.
They can be little things. There is not a lot of appreciation in today’s world and when it comes from you it is most meaningful and uplifting. It can change my whole day!
10. Pray for me.
I need your prayers more than you might know, and I appreciate them.
“The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective” (James 5:16)
Most mothers-in-law want good relationships with their daughters-in-law. We want to be your friend. We want your marriage to flourish. We want to have good relationships with your children. We want you to know that we love you.
We will mess up and try to remember to ask you for forgiveness.
Please be patient with us . . . God isn’t finished with us yet. We’ll be growing [for] the rest of our lives!
In a great many ways motherhood can feel like a thankless job, especially in your child’s younger years. And for the most part, parents are okay with that phase for the joy set before them and the anticipation of the beautiful young men and women they are raising.
You spend days, months, and years pouring your heart and soul into your kids, just praying that what you’re doing to instill values, work ethic, and character into them pays off.
But for Krystal June Preston, that “payoff” came in a way that she NEVER would have expected from her 13-year-old son William.
William’s unanticipated grand gesture came at a time when Krystal was down and out — and it is absolutely heart-melting. Krystal posted her story to Facebook, and William’s act of kindness for his mama quickly went viral. Find out just what this selfless teen did below:
“I have no words right now that can express how I am feeling at this moment. I’m in complete shock. The last couple weeks have literally been hell filled with so many tears, anger, confusion and heartache. Today I got the shock of my life.
As some of you may know my son William, who is a lawn mowing, yard cleaning, money making machine. Well my son had a job today that he had to go do and so I allowed him to go assuming it was like any other time. Well this time was different. Very different.
William came home and said
‘Mom I bought you a car.’
I of course laughed and told him ‘ya right!’
He said, ‘No mom I’m so serious, I bought you a car. Come on we have to go.’
I’m at this point confused annskepticalal [sic] and I said ‘go where?’
He said, “With this lady.”
And much to my surprise I go in my front yard and OMG there is a woman standing there and as William said she was giving us a ride. William jumps in the car so I’m like ok?? This is some kind of joke right. No one speaks really…
So….. As I’m still thinking at this point still a joke. We pull up to this house and William says, “Mom that’s your car…”
I completely lost it. I started bawling my eyes out. I am speechless my 13-year-old son bought me a car. He did some work for this women and that was his payment that he worked out with her. And here I thought it was a joke… Nope I was handed the keys and paperwork to the car and I’m freaking out but so in shock like Omg this is happening right now. So we got into the car it started right up and off we went.
I am so proud of my son. He is such a good kid. He may have his days but OMG what 13-year-old kid do you know that buys his mom a car… William I love you son and thank you. You have such a big heart and I love you.”
**This post originally appeared on Krystal June Preston’s Facebook page.
Renowned Christian author Lee Strobel said Americans’ interest in a “realm beyond that which we can see and touch” drove him to write his latest book — an exploration of the supernatural.
“It told me that this is a bridge where we can connect with people who may be far from God and yet have an interest in the supernatural,” he told me and actress Jen Lilley on our new“Into the Supernatural” podcast. “It may be an entryway for them to really learn about what the Bible does teach about the world beyond our physical realm.”
Strobel continued, “Being an evangelist, that was always my desire.”
But the author, who called it an “adventure” to have the chance to dive into these topics over the past few years, said some Christians are hesitant to fully embrace each sentiment.
Listen to Strobel explain:
With that in mind, Strobel was careful to choose cases with a great deal of corroboration to help bring these issues to light. Near-death experiences are just one arena where he was fascinated to see powerful evidence that something supernatural had unfolded.
“You begin to see documented cases of near-death experiences where people see or hear things that would have been impossible for them to see or hear if they hadn’t had an authentic out-of-body experience after their clinical death,” Strobel said. “It just reinforces what Scripture tells us about the supernatural realm, and I think it gives us more courage.”
Strobel shared one such story about a woman who was clinically dead in a hospital and who claimed to have had her spirit separate from her body.
She said she traveled to the ceiling during the experience and could see her body being resuscitated.
“When she was ultimately revived, she said, ‘Oh, by the way, on the ceiling fan here in the emergency room, on the upper part of the blade … is a red sticker,'” he recounted. “And she couldn’t have seen it. Nobody could see it from the room because it’s on the upper part of the blade of the ceiling. So they got a ladder and they went up, and, sure enough, there’s the red sticker that she only could have seen from her perspective of her spirit floating near the ceiling of the emergency room.”
Strobel encountered other examples like this, which he included in the book.
Issues like this are getting increasing attention in culture as faith seems to be making a resurgence. And Strobel said he’s noticing something else — that for the first time in history, “people are doing scientific inquiries into miracles” in an attempt to prove their existence.
“In other words, they’re testing them scientifically and with documentation in a way that I don’t think has been done that much in the past,” Strobel said. “And we’re seeing cases of documented miracles that are really waking up people to the fact that this is not wishful thinking, it’s not … the placebo effect, it’s not fraud, it’s not fakery. There are documented cases.”
He also cited the case of medical healing surrounding a blind woman whose husband prayed for her one night, imploring the Lord to heal her vision.
“He says, ‘Lord, I know you can heal blindness. I know you can do it. And Lord, I pray you do it tonight. I pray you do it right now,'” Strobel recounted. “And she opened her eyes to perfect eyesight, and which has remained fine for 47 years so far.”
Medically documented stories like this have Strobel convinced “something is going on” – something he believes is truly miraculous.
“And I think this is kind of opening people’s eyes to the fact that these aren’t just stories that you hear at Sunday school or whatever,” he said. “But you dig down into many of these stories and you find substance, and you find people with eyewitnesses who have no motive to deceive. You have medical records and so forth.”
