a goodly heritage

The Lord has blessed me above even comprehension. I was not born into a Christian home, but my parents were saved when I was young. Their salvation led to my own at a young age. And my earliest vivid memories are from being at church. in Sunday School. 

I attended a Christian School or was homeschooled my entire life. I even graduated from Bible College. 

My parents sheltered me from so much of the world. They knew the heartache that the world brings and wanted better for my brother and me.

There were those who did not agree with my parent's parenting. and there were times I did not understand either. But looking back as an adult, I realize they always did what was best for me.

We had fun. went to the coast. went hiking. played in the park. rode bikes around our neighborhood. washed the car with Daddy. had picnics. 

And! I learned how to clean a house [though you would not always know it from walking into mine!]. I learned how to plan meals and cook. I learned how to be giving and hospitable. I learned to sew and to love making things for my family. and loved ones.

I learned of God. His Word. I learned to sing. for Him. I love music. I love to sing. And I am so glad that I know songs that honor Him. that I know Bible verses that bring comfort and encouragement. that I know the right way to live. This does not mean I always live right. There is a difference between knowing and doing. but I am glad I KNOW. There are those who were not taught!

Now that I am grown and have a full family of my own, I am thankful that my children have grandparents that pray for them. love them. shower them with encouragement and gifts. I am thankful my parents share with us. I am glad that they want the best for me [still] and my family. 

I am so thankful that I married the man my parents approved of! If there was one piece of advice I could give any unmarried girl, no matter her age, it would be: Do NOT marry a man your parents are not comfortable with. cannot give their blessing to. I have yet to meet a lady who did marry outside her parent's blessing that did not regret it. 

God was smiling on this citified-country-girl {or am I a countrified-city-girl?} the day He gave me to my parents. He knew what my life needed for me to find Him and learn how to follow Him. Thank you, Lord, for my parents.

I love you, Mom and Dad!

I would not trade your love and care 

for my pick of all the bigger houses in the world! 

 ~   ~   ~   ~   ~   ~   ~

Goodly Heritage {lyrics}

1 I may not have riches 

as some others may

  But I have a mother 

who knows how to pray

  And maybe there's some things 

I missed in my youth

  But I have a father 

who stands for the truth

Chorus:

  I have a goodly heritage

I'm blessed with things you can't see

  I have a goodly heritage

And that is worth far more to me

2 And if in the future, 

my parents pass on,

  To dwell in that City 

we've come to call Home

  They may not leave me 

the goods of this world

  But I have accepted 

their God and His Word

Chorus:

  I have a goodly heritage

I'm blessed with things you can't see

  I have a goodly heritage

And that is worth far more to me.

I have everything, all that I need

All that I need, treasures unseen,

And that is worth far more to me.