I had the honor of walking my daughter, Ashleigh, the beautiful bride, down the aisle on February 13. 2010. This was a day mixed with emotions - deeply wanting the best for my daughter and truly still wanting my daughter to remain at home with me. It is no secret that I did not agree with Ashleigh and Jared's relationship. I was afraid that she was making a decision based solely on emotions that were running very high at the time. She had just given birth to a daughter - Hayleigh Anne and was in a relationship with the father of the baby, Jared Smith. Now, it is 7 months later and I am so very happy that Jared and Ashleigh got married. The Smiths have God in the center of their marriage and that is why their relationship is so fantastic and so very blessed.
I can remember a time when Ashleigh was in her early teens that I wondered whether her life would become anything more than short term relationships, drug & alcohol problems and violence?? I was scared for Ashleigh. I was afraid she was a train wreck waiting for a brick wall to smash into. God knew better. All the AWANA and Sunday School and Bible Studies actually had sunk in at some point. She also had the power of prayer - of a praying Mother, Grandmother and Aunt and so many others. Ashleigh became pregnant and for her - that was her brick wall. Shortly after Joshua was born, Ashleigh heard a message at RE about Where Your Treasure Is....The Holy Spirit worked in her life and convicted her of her need of a Saviour!.How marvelous. II Corinthians 5:17 says "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." That certainly was true of Ashleigh! She had a definate change of heart. She turned from old sinful ways and tried to follow God's path for her life. Sadly, I did not make it easy for Ashleigh. I claimed to be a Christian, yet, I thought she was trying to act better than everyone else in the family. I took part in condemning Ashleigh and making fun of her. She stayed strong and true to God!! I am thankful for her testimony for it certainly made me take a good long look at myself and what I was - A fake. God saved me from that depraved mind that had me ridiculing my own daughter! I am very ashamed of my former actions towards Ashleigh and am thankful for her forgiveness. She is one of the many convicting factors in my recent salvation. I love you Ashleigh and am thankful for you and your testimony. Ashleigh truly is a beautiful daughter. I speak for Jared when I also say she is a beautiful wife - inside and out.
So now - I have a wonderful, beautiful Christian daughter to share my life with and am doubly blessed by having an amazing Christian son-in- law. Her and I are on the same page spiritually. There is no more jealousy and condemnation! We share each others prayer requests. We talk about how different messages have blessed our hearts and how we are applying the truths of the Gospel to our daily lives.
Ashleigh and Jared have 2 amazing children and 1 more to be here in January 2011!!! They are both doing a fantastic job at raising their kids to love Jesus. When I became a Christian in August of this year - it has opened up the relationship that I have with my daughter, Ashleigh, and her family. What more could a Mother want??? Well, that would be for ALL of my children to become Christians and follow after what Jesus wants for their lives.
Thank you Ashleigh for following God's path for your life - stick to it you are doing an amazing job!!!
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