The power of home

Vibrant Life, July-August, 2004 by Charles Mills

Family. The very word brings to mind scenes of togetherness, warmth, and affection. At least, it does for me. I was lucky. I came from parents who would be avid readers of Vibrant Life because they followed most of the suggestions to the letter.

The idea of taking club drags was the furthest thought from my mind. Why? Because I didn't see my parents popping pills for every ill that came along. There wasn't a drop of alcohol or tobacco product in sight. Drugs, in any form other than medicinal, were not the answer for anything. They weren't part of my upbringing. Besides, I had better things to do such as take pictures with the camera my dad sacrificed and bought for me. Then I'd develop and print nay masterpieces in the darkroom he fashioned with his own hands.

Culture? We were Christian missionaries in faraway lands during some of my formative years. Embracing people who didn't look, talk, or dress like me was a fun challenge. My world reverberated with smiling faces sporting skin tones different from mine, strange music, exciting new food dishes, and unique architecture.

When it came to love, my parents excelled at it. While Dad labored endlessly to pay the bills and keep my siblings and me in Christian schools, Mom placed her full attention on our day-to-day needs. We were the very center of her universe. We were her number one priority.

This issue of Vibrant Life deals with the subjects of recreational drugs, embracing different cultures, and family. I'm here to tell you that what our writers say is absolutely true. Parents wield an incredible amount of influence when it comes to the type of life their children choose to live both in the home and eventually out on their own. It's an awesome responsibility--one that should never be taken lightly.

So, enjoy the articles, check out the recipes, and let the Holy Spirit touch you through the spiritual messages woven through out. Then live your life with a fresh understanding of the challenges you and your neighbors face on a daily basis.

Remember, in the eyes of God, we're all family.