I don't know why I moved home after college, but apparently most college graduates do. To be honest, I really didn't want to move back home. There was a setup where I could have easily lived in a house with a good Christian college friend and it would be cheaper rent than the apartment I was living in and a little more space. I told her that I would give her an answer accordingly so that if I did say no, she would still find time to find another roommate. But obviously, I told her no. When people asked me why I was moving home, I said to save money. I am saving money (to mostly to pay off some debt) but that was not the full basis of why I moved home.
Moving back to the central valley is nice and calming than the fast lifestyle of Southern California, but of course it can get boring and mundane at times. Especially, the first couple of months when I was still getting to know people or re-getting to know people. I was trying to be social but no hard enough. But now that it has been 9 months since moving back in, I can start to see why God placed me back into my hometown.
I have seen a change in myself that I have not seen while growing up. I have become more close and honest with my parents. Though sometimes the truth is really hard for them to hear, that is what's necessary to grow in a relationship with the ones you love. I know that being an adult and more mature doesn't hurt either when I converse with my parents, but of course I will always be their daughter and often get told what to do (even though I hate it, but that's how it is. Well...especially when I'm living with them).
I recently read a book called "The Five Love Languages: Singles Edition" by Dr. Gary Chapman. It mentions in the book that Dr. Chapman had many singles reading the original five love languages book (which is intended for married couples) that would come up to him asking if he could write one for singles. The singles edition is not only for dating relationships, but also relationships with family, roommates, classmates, coworkers, and singles with children. Basically, I take that as everyone else you have a relationship with.
He mentioned that how you want to show love to your future spouse or others you date really depicts how you love your parents or have a relationship with them. And throughout the book, there are many examples that start with learning a love language with your family first then moving onto others.
Here's a little excerpt from the family chapter:
"When there is mutual love and honor between parents and adult children, both experience a positive state of emotional health, which in turn positively affects their physical health, which results in longer, more fulfulling life." -Dr. Chapman
I kinda hate quoting so much from this book, so I went to God's Words.
"Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you." Exodus 20:12 ESV
"Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right." Eph 6:1 ESV
and ultimately...
"And he said to him, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'" Matthew 22:37-39 ESV
No comments:
Post a Comment