"When I Grow Up"
I begin my story as a 10 pound bundle of joy. My Mother and Father loved me very much. Life was good. Someone always fed me when I was hungry and picked me up when I cried. I learned to walk, eat, and say "Mommy" and "Daddy." When I was a toddler, my parents were not around much on weekends. I spent a lot of time at my grandparent's house. They would give me anything I wanted. I liked staying with them. My parents were too busy partying, using drugs, and other things grownups did for "fun."
When I was 4 years old, my Mommy and I went to live at another house. I wondered why my Daddy didn't move with us. My Mommy told me that my Daddy loved me very much. I acted like I was happy, but I wasn't. I was very sad that my Daddy did not live with me anymore. My Mommy and Daddy were going to get a divorce. I did not know what that meant. All I knew was my Daddy was not living with me. One day my Mommy asked me if I would like to go back and live with Daddy. With a big smile I answered, "Oh yes, please." I was so very happy!
While I was playing in my room, I heard my Dad tell my Mom that he talked to someone named God. My Dad said he told God that he would work for Him since he got his family back. I really didn't know what that meant, but it didn't matter as long as we were together. After we moved back with Dad, we started going to this place where they talked about a man named Jesus. I knew He was someone special. We went to this place every Sunday and Wednesday. Sometimes twice on Sunday.
When I was 5 years old, a little baby girl came to live with us. My Mom called her my sister. My parents loved her very much. I loved her very much too. Things were not the same in our house. She would cry and Mom would pick her up. And before I knew it, she was walking and talking just like me. Sometimes she got me in trouble. I guess that is what little sisters are supposed to do. Oh well, I loved her anyway. No matter how old she got, she would always be my little sister.
Things were not always happy in our house. Sometimes it was sad. Someone named Satan, (that is what my Mom and Dad called him), would cause problems between Mom and Dad. As I grew up, my parents continued to bring my sister and me where they talked about Jesus. That place was called church. No matter how bad things got, we still went to church. I learned a lot. I learned how to pray to God and how to read my Bible. My family went to church all the time, but we didn't do too much praying and reading the Bible together at home. Sometimes my Mom would say, "Don't forget to say your prayers before you go to bed." Oh sometimes, we would pray before we ate. I guess we were what people called a typical Christian Family.
I made it through elementary school and middle school. When I was in the 11th grade, my Mother and Father asked my sister and me if it would be O.K. for our cousin to come and live with us. My sister and I agreed it would be O.K. My cousin moved in with us and I shared my room with him. A week later my pawpaw died. I was happy my cousin came to live with us, but was sad that my pawpaw died. My cousin was 12 years old when he came to live with us. We knew that it would take sometime for him to adjust to living with us and that God would help make everything O.K. I knew that one day he would become someone special for someone else in their life.
Well, I made it through high school. I really didn't know what I wanted to do with my life. I went to work with my Mother. I told my Mother and Father that I would go to college in a year or two. When I turned 18 years old, I continued going to church. It was now my choice and not my parents. Oh, they could have made me go because I still lived with them, but they did not have to. I just could not get enough of Jesus. Although I made mistakes in life, I always gave back control to God. You see, I could have done what my parents did when they were my age, but I chose to keep working for the Lord. I am so glad that I made that choice, because I didn't get a second chance like my Mother and Father did. I didn't even get to go to college. When I was 19 years old, the Jesus I learned about and whom I had given complete control of my life, took me home to live with Him in the mansion he promised to prepare for me. I am grateful for the assurance of eternal life that my parents tried so hard to instill in me. My parents were not perfect; but they loved God, they loved each other, and they loved me. They loved me enough to make sure I personally knew God.
This story was written to let parents know that it does not matter what you have done in your life or how old your children are. It is never too late to teach your children and/or relatives the way of the Lord. And children, you will one day reach an age where you are going to have the choice, to serve the Lord or not. Make sure you don't wait until you are older. Death has no age. It comes at anytime and in many ways.
The story you have just read is a true story. The little boy who grew up and became a man is my son, Shane, and I am the mother who wasted many years not serving our Lord. Please don't waste precious time. You may not have time to waste, nor may your children. Shane never saw his 20th birthday here on earth, but he is now celebrating his new life in heaven with Jesus. My prayer is that you open your heart and soul and receive Jesus Christ, the Son of God, into your life so that one day you will be in your mansion Christ has promised to prepare for you.
John 14: 2-3
In my Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you, I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
John 3: 3
Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily I say unto thee, Except a man be born again he cannot see the Kingdom of God.
John 3: 16-17
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved.
Proverbs 3: 5-6
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.
I dedicate this in memory of my son, Shane, whom I miss and love very much. To my husband, Darrell, whom I cherish. My daughter, Ashley, who is my heart and to my nephew, Kyle, whom I am honored God has placed in our home.
Special thanks to all my family and friends for the prayers and support they have shown since our son's death. God has given me the strength to go on with a broken heart and has given me these words that were written. Praise God for His love and His grace.
Shane's Mom, Pam David
