At 14, I started reading the Bible for myself. My mom would take us to church on Sundays, and that’s what made me want to know Jesus personally. I was often punished for bad grades and not doing my chores. That’s how I had the time to read the Bible because reading was something I loved to do anyway. I remember reading and saying to myself that all I had to do was be good, be nice, repent, and I would make it to heaven. I had parents who loved me and told us every day. We weren’t allowed to fight as siblings; anytime we got into an argument, we had to kiss and make up on the spot, which we hated. But now, as adults, we argue but have never had a fight with each other, and we love that. We had the best friends growing up. We never fought them either. It’s amazing that we all are friends to this day.
As the years went on, I read my Bible daily, sometimes all day. The stories interested me. There are scriptures that really stood out to me when I moved out of my parents’ home into my own place. I thought that everyone in their homes respected and loved their parents. I truly got the shock of my life when I found out that not everyone lived like us. We respected our parents, and even though we didn’t always agree with them, we loved them.
- Exodus 20:12: “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.”
- Ephesians 6:2-3: “Honor your father and mother—which is the first commandment with a promise—so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”
- Proverbs 1:8: “Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.”
- Colossians 3:20: “Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.”
I once believed that everyone knew and believed in Jesus. I assumed all were practicing kindness to enter Heaven. I thought people always told their friends they loved them and remained loyal. I believed that those who loved each other would preserve their friendship. But no, I’ve learned that everyone has their own motives, and that those who are hurt often hurt others. As for me, I will continue to love people because that’s my calling.
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,
Inside the mind of cree 