Things my father taught me

A year or so ago I was asked to speak to the young adults class at our church. Those of you who know me, know that I do not really enjoy public speaking. There is just something about being on stage and having all of those eyes looking at me that makes me lose my train of thought. Since I was faced with the challenge and I couldn’t get out of it, I had to face my fears and have something worthwhile to say. As I thought about those years in my life, I decided to share about what really helped me through my young adult years. As I thought back I heard one voice that really stuck out in my mind and thoughts through that trying period of life, and that voice was my father’s. So the topic is, “Things my father taught me”, it will give you a little glimpse of what life was like in the Gray household, the good, the bad, and the funny.

The first important lesson that my father taught me and my cousins, Josh and Joe, was “Never look a man in the eye who has 2 gold teeth.” I know you are wondering what that means and for a long time, so did I, but it was a motto that we lived by. I am sure that the 3 of us can all repeat it to this day. What this meant to me as a young girl is found in 1 Thessalonians 5:22, “Avoid every kind of evil.” Not that by themselves gold teeth are evil, but there is just something shifty about a guy with not just one, but two gold teeth. Maybe it wouldn’t mean the same thing to a man, but as a young girl, this spoke to me.

The second lesson, that we were taught was, Never enter a place with a pink door. This was primarily for my cousins – who are boys – but since boys may be reading this, I couldn’t leave it out. I am sure all of you men understand the seriousness of entering a place with a pink door, but let me give you a spiritual meaning too. In Proverbs 4:14-15, “Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evil men. Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way.” So in your mind, when you see the ways of evil men, don’t be tempted, just see that pink door and don’t enter it.

These are just a few of the important words my father gave me to live by, make sure you stop back by our website next week to read more.