Life is Hard.... So What's New?

Last night I had this dream where I looked around at the lives of everyone around me. Every single person and family was going through difficult challenges. Some chose to struggle behind closed doors while others shared their problems freely with the world. In my dream, I looked around, taking it all in as I was given a glimpse into the lives of those around me. I found myself saying aloud, "Life is so hard!" The reply I got was a chuckle of sorts and a male voice lovingly saying, "Of course it's hard. That's why it's called a test." 

How truthful that is! We are all here to be tried and tested, to prove our willingness to God that we will fight the good fight, and bring honor to His name and His plan for eternal families. These challenges truly are for our good- and eternal progression. 

When I first felt impressed to begin this blog, I had great things in store. I had a daily schedule of items to write about, and began strong. Then, life happened. There have been more ups and downs in the past few months of my life than I would have ever liked to experience. Many time I thought I should just pack it in and forget about writing. I choose to keep going, though, even if it just a few times a month. If one person's life is changed for the better because of just one post I shared, then it is worth it. Mine usually is. 

Life is going to be hard for each one of us, this is nothing new. When unexpected challenges come up, do we pack it in and quit, or do we push through and persevere, allowing ourselves to grow and become stronger because of the experiences? I, for one, will keep going I know where God is leading me on this journey. I know that although there will be difficult weeks where I cannot write, I will keep going so I can share the ideas God has brought to my heart and mind. I am a Guardian of Light and will keep fighting the good fight to share my light with the world. I hope you do too!

Guardian of Light,
Mama Dragon

I Choose

A few minutes ago, I had a conversation about the appropriateness of what we watch as parents vs. what we allow our children to watch in television and movies. The conversation was initiated by me telling my dear friend about a series on Netflix that I began watching yesterday. "I am not sure I will continue watching it," I shared. "There are too many things against my values and I am a bit uncomfortable." This furthered into how, as parents, we seem to live double standards. We tell our children they cannot watch something, yet we are allowed to, simply because we are adults. What is it, I wonder, that we are trying to hide in these shows from our kids? Is it the violence? The gore? The affairs? The sexual scenes? The drinking and drugs? If these are the reasons we do not want our kids to watch the movies, then why, for heavens sake, are we watching them?! Certainly they are as damaging to us as they are to our children, if not more so. Kids cannot understand half of these subject matters. They do not have the brain capability to grasp the emotions behind the choices people make in the shows. For the most part, adults do understand, yet we continue to expose ourselves to the images that go against our standards. Little by little, we become desensitized to it all, and eventually we are accepting of all behavior's, right or wrong. We shrug our shoulders at the things offensive to God and declare that it is "just the way the world is". 

What if I don't want to be part of the world? What if I desire to be different? How do I become a light in the world without getting sucked into the fiery darts of the adversary? It's simple. I choose. 

When the American TV rating system came out in the 90's, my friend's parents decided to make a

new rule: If it was something the parents would not allow their children to watch, they would not watch it either. I remember as a teen not understanding what the big deal was. Now, as a parent, I completely understand. They wanted to not only protect their children from the sinful ways of the world, they never wanted their family to compromise their standards. I think that was a beautiful choice, regardless of how difficult it was. I have not done that as of yet in my life, but I am rethinking my own choices. 

A few years ago, some friends of ours read an article about being unspotted from the world. They decided they wanted to improve their family relations in their household and never, not once, have to wonder if they were compromising their standards. As a family, they went through all of their books and movies and determined what was in harmony with the beliefs they had. Anything else they would get rid of... and they did. They were able to gather two or three garbage bags full of book and movies and get rid of them. Their ecclesiastical leader thought they were being a bit extreme, but I admired their strength to purge their house of anything contrary to God's teachings. Could I do that? I just might. 

What are you willing to do to set yourself apart from the world, to improve the values in your home, to teach your children to have high morals? "Why fit in when you were born to stand out?" I may have others who disagree with me, and that is fine. It is their right. As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord in the best way we can. For today, it is choosing light. Greatness is a choice, one that I choose. 

Choosing Light-
Mama Dragon