"If I never saw this kid again, Lord, I wouldn't be sorry!" I thought. Tears clouded my eyes as I stood in ourlaundry room(洗衣间).Clenched(紧握的)in both hands were new jeans and a shirt belonging to my 16-year-old stepson, Brett. The clothing was already destroyed from burn holes and vomitstains(污点)after a drunkenbinge(狂欢,放纵).
Exhausted and defeated, I sank to the floor. The clothes were just one more thing Brett had ruined. He had already kicked a large hole in his bedroom wall; hisbedcovers(床罩)were torn. Numerous windows in our house needed repair due to his breaking in to steal money when he chose to live on the street. Yet none of this could compare to the emotional damage Brett hadinflicted(遭受,给予)on our once quiet home.
I knew that Brett's needs were deep, and I had often prayed for wisdom and love. The second greatest commandment, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself," had taken on new meaning when Brett came to live with us when he was 12 years old. If I were to love my neighbor, was I not to love my own troubled stepson even more?
During those four years I had dealt with Brett as patiently as possible, but inside I was churning. "I don't want him in my house another day, Lord," I cried as I knelt on the laundry room floor. "I just can't stand him!"
Chest heaving, I poured out my despair. Then God tenderly spoke to me in my weakness. Matthew 25:35-40 rose in my thoughts---Jesus' declaration that when we invite a stranger, feed the hungry, clothe the naked or visit those in prison, we are doing it as unto Him. For the first time I saw this story in light of the action words. Jesus was saying, "Act. Meet these people's needs. Through your actions you are loving them and Me."
God's encouragement to me that day helped me to gather strength and continue parenting Brett. Still, Brett did not change his behavior.
When Brett was nearly 18, he landed again in Juvenile Hall, this time on suicide watch. Through prayer, my husband, Dave, and I sensed God's leading to send Brett to aboarding school(寄宿学校)with a high success rate for helping troubled teens.
The psychological training at Brett's school wasrigorous(严格的,严酷的). Out of more than 20 people in his class, Brett was one of only five graduates.
At the graduation ceremony the graduates stood one by one to thank those who had helped them. Each graduate held a long-stemmed, white rosebud to give to the person who had meant the most to him or her.
Brett spoke lovingly to his mother and father and for the first time took responsibility for the heartaches he had caused.
Finally Brett spoke to me. "You did so much," he said. "You were always there, no matter what. My mom and dad, I was their kid. But you just got stuck with me. All the same you always showed me such love. And I want you to know that I love you for it."
Stunned, I stood as Brett placed the white rosebud in my hand and hugged me hard.
At that moment I realized the truth in God's words to me. Although I had struggled with silent anger toward my stepson, Brett had seen only my actions.
Love is action. We may not always have positive feelings about certain people in our lives. But we can love them.
雅思考试词汇总结:外贸类词汇(1)
雅思考试高频场景词系列-----租房场景
雅思词汇之几种构成形容词的常用后缀
雅思考试高频场景词系列-----课外研究
每日雅思词汇:音乐词汇知多少
雅思考试高频场景词系列-----学习场景
雅思词汇:朋友一生一起走
每日雅思词汇:有关哭、嚎的词汇
雅思考试高频场景词系列-----位置场景
雅思词汇:医院里的医生们
解决雅思阅读词汇问题的核心
每日雅思词汇:各种缘
每日雅思词汇:搞错了会很尴尬的短语
雅思词汇:进口化妆品常见说明词汇
雅思词汇:西餐餐具大全
每日雅思词汇:有特殊含义的短语
雅思词汇:酒店预订须知
每日雅思词汇:性格词汇
每日雅思词汇:各种动物
每日雅思词汇:各种肤质和化妆品的用途
每日雅思词汇:描写天气的词汇
每日雅思词汇:各种卡
每日雅思词汇:如何称赞女生?
怎样在练习中总结陌生的雅思词汇
雅思词汇要如何记忆才好
每日雅思词汇:生活中的常见习语
专家教你如何看待所谓的"雅思词汇"
每日雅思词汇:你是哪种微博控?
每日雅思词汇:最潮词汇
雅思考试高频场景词系列-----外形场景
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