While making knowingly poor decisions in the past, I was prepared to deal with the immediate, personal consequences. I was even willing to accept the impact that my actions would have on people around me. What I forgot to account for, however, were the parts of my future that would be harmed.
It's impossible to know who you'll be hurting or what you'll be harming with the unwise choices that you're making right now, but the bottom line is that there are always future ramifications for today's decisions.
- Giving yourself away in college will rob you of offering your entire self to your spouse on your wedding night.
- Racking up massive credit card debt when you are newly married will prevent you from adequately providing for your future kids.
- Gossiping about people in your church or school or neighborhood will remove opportunities for new friendships down the line.
- Developing an alcohol, gambling, or pornography addiction during your 20's will steal your ability to interact in a healthy way with the friends or family you have in your 40's.
- Abusing a child now will take away your chances of spending time with your grandchildren later.
It is hard to think about more than the immediate sometimes. Trust me, I have been terrible at it. So, as a reminder to us both, I'll say it again: The choices you make today will affect people you have not yet met, but will one day love.
"Abusing a child now will take away your chances of spending time with your grandchildren later."
ReplyDeleteI am experiencing this from an abused child turned adult point of view. I wish my parents understood why I make the choices I make now. They are to protect my boys. I feel like their is no other choice and it has left my mom to hate me in many ways. Choices really do have a long term impact. I still struggle with so many things: trust, confidence, friendships, trust! and it is like they have moved on and forgotten and just want me to get over it. Unfortunately there is no getting over abuse. And is my responsibility now to protect my children which has meant putting my step-dad in prison and cutting off communication with my mom until she can get the help she needs.
One thing is for certain, I will never let my precious children experience the same things I went through. Its not a matter of caring about my family or not. It is a matter of taking my responsibility to my children as seriously as I should. Their future depends on it. My future relationship with them depends on it.
This weeks soapbox has really motivated me to make some changes to my lifestyle so I can lose weight and be here and active for me future grandchildren. Probably not what you had in mind when writing this blog entry but it really made me think of the choices I make on an every day basis and how it is affecting those I love now and those I will love in the future.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS POST!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for elegantly putting into words a concept I have held to for years. Thanks, Tim!!!
In my head, it goes back to the "Did I Just Lie to God" post. God gives us His rules so that we can have these loves later in life and enjoy them to the fullest. When we follow those rules as best as we can, we DO get what's best in life.