Family Is "KEY" To Your Maurity With Christ!

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Permalink Reply by Todd Hilton on January 3, 2009 at 7:40pm

Tony,
I bet the tea party was great fun. Any pictures? I would love to see them. Just prior to reading your discussion, I had the greatest pleasure of dancing with my 6 year old little angel round the great room. These times are priceless and O so fleeting. Hold on to them Tony.

As to the "Habit", what better motivation than knowing that by stopping, you are ensuring many more tea party moments. Each time you pick one up, just before you light, ask yourself " is this worth one more day with my family "? They may sound trite, but I dare say that this is a great motivator. It's worth fighting for Tony. Standing with you in agreement.
Firmly in HIS grip,
Todd

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Permalink Reply by Tony Clay on January 3, 2009 at 7:51pm

Thanks Todd,I really value your opinion!I know that I can quit smoking,and with your prayers I'll be just fine.Todd,when you fisrt corrensponded with me I was so happy!You give me so much motivation,I just want to say that I appreciate your friendship!Amen!!!God Bless you,and I LOVE YOU DEARLY!!!Tony

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Permalink Reply by Jeff Siemens on January 3, 2009 at 9:19pm

Mee - Memories like tea parties with Dad are the foundation of your daughter's answer to her question "Am I loved? Am I attractive? Am I worth fighting for? Will somebody be there to rescue me?"
My daughter is now 11 and still loves any one-on-one time I can give her whether its walking our dog to the school and throwing the ball to him, practicing softball at the park, reading together, praying together, lying there next to her on her bed reflecting back on the day's ups and downs, doing homework with her, etc. Our daughters sense our love more by our presence than by our words. It's those simple moments where our fatherhood love is passed on. They draw upon our strength, courage, and wisdom at every stage of their beautiful lives.

Regarding the challenge of overcoming an addiction like smoking cigarettes, Todd's motivating encouragement about making sure you will be there for your daughter all the way through her lifeis right on. Your victory in this area of your life will translate into priceless rewards of quality times with your children. There are many good programs that provide healthy ways to free yourself from the addiction to nicotine. Research them on the web. These organizations send pamphlets and booklets which include medical, and heatlh facts that are pretty sobering in terms of just what we do when we allow the chemicals of cigarette smoke to enter our bodies.

Read all you can. Pray all you can. And believe that you have the victory now regardless of any episodes of relapse. We are praying for you and the spirit prays when we don't know how to pray. You are loved just as you are right now. It is easy to succomb to the enemy's lies that we are somehow unworthy because of our sin. Remember that statement regarding God loving us when we were yet sinners? Believe it and live into your possibilities. Soon, the need for cigarettes will fade and lose its power over you. You will be set free to be all you were created to be. Amen!

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Permalink Reply by Eric Wold on January 3, 2009 at 10:47pm

Hey Tony,
I will be praying for you on the quitting. I quit in 1999. It was hard but I met a woman who later became my wife. When we met, I quit drinking and smoking and started going to church. I wanted to be worthy. I wanted to be a better man. I know you want to be a better man for your kids sake. And they are more than worthy of that! They are watching you. Kids often learn by what they see modeled for them. Not by what we try to teach them. Just know you have people that love you and are praying for you! Thanks for choosing to count me as friend. I will try to be worthy of that honor! Stay strong!

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