maralascottsblog children, God, Happiness, inspirational stories, relationships

In Appreciation of Life

Today I look back on my journey realizing how grateful I am for my life. I am only able to say this because I built a relationship with God early when I had mountains of adversity to overcome. It wasn’t mine, rather the journey of my parents that I was born into. But that was the path that I was destined to take so I would seek God, which taught me to understand God’s love, protection, power, grace, and mercy. As time went on, I worked to build that relationship as there was so much more to understand, value, and appreciate.

Years later, when I thought that my relationship with God would protect me from harm, I had yet another bout with adversity that threatened my existence and hurled fear into my children. Still, I reminded my children that God knew I was obedient and without fear, but it was time for me to learn another lesson. I trusted the outcome of a lengthy brain surgery on multiple aneurysms with complete certainty because God told me to get it done. When I opened my eyes, I couldn’t do anything but smile at the sight of my family in front of me. I would not ever go against what God told me for the options that man tried to reason with me. I had yet another level of appreciation for life and a testimony. The recovery took time and was a battle in itself, but I needed to fight. I wanted to fight because I had so much more to do.

People fight every day; children fight every minute for life, but sometimes, we don’t win. When we do, the appreciation is so much greater than what it ever could have been because we have the propensity to take family, friends, health, material things, and God for granted.

Today, I celebrate having five more years of service to God in appreciation of my life. I learned the value of each breath I take, everything I see, and the feel of sand beneath my feet. I am grateful for those who love me as it, too, is a gift.

www.MaralaScott.com

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maralascottsblog children, Forgiveness, God, Happiness, Helping Others, inspirational stories, kindness, relationships, Self-Love

The Truth About Parenting: 10 Simple Tips

family-vacation-less-stressful_47_900x600I have a passion for life! I love who I am and above all, I love God. It is God that taught me to love myself. Then, the need for others to love me didn’t exist, but I learned why it is essential for me to love others. I was apprehensive about becoming a parent. It wasn’t something that was natural for me since my childhood had a narrative that was nothing less than horrific and scarring. Once I was, the test began and the one thing I wanted to get right in life more than anything else, was parenting. As a mother, the choice became mine to submit to what I was familiar with or do something to change the lucid visions that could hurl a fragile and scared little girl into her own dark world. I was determined not to replicate the abuse and pain. I made the decision to leave it behind, taking only the good experiences and memories, although it wasn’t easy.

I remembered my painful tears as a child and promised myself that I would provide my children with the things I prayed for. I wanted them to laugh from their soul, smile because it’s their natural expression, and inspire others because they know how. It didn’t mean they would be without challenges, but I gave them unwavering love, complete trust, and confidence as tools. Then, I taught them to have compassion, persistence, goals and why a relationship with God is an essential part of their existence. Every single day, I told them I loved them and I made a constant effort to make sure they could see it. I shared the mistakes I made throughout my life so they would trust coming to me for advice when they made theirs. My children had to learn how to be fearless because as a child, I lived in fear. They needed to know it was okay if they fell as long as they got back holding their head high. They were pulled close to understand me and talk about their day just as I shared mine with them while we cooked and ate dinner together. We prayed together, laughed together, cried together and lifted one another. They both think they are my favorite because neither of them felt I loved the other more.

The truth about parenting is that you will make mistakes, as I’m sure I’ve made my share. However, learning to correct parenting skills by listening to your children and learning from them helped shape me into the mother I am today.

  1. Love them as God loves you.
  2. Encourage them to be better than you and give them the tools to accomplish that.
  3. Keep them close rather than pushing them away when you get busy. Allow them to share in your success and understand your failures.
  4. When they ask you a question, don’t lie. Tell them the truth so they learn to do the same.
  5. Take time to ask questions before jumping to conclusions.
  6. Don’t assume they know you love them because you are their parent. Tell them, and more importantly, show them.
  7. Be the example that you want them to become. They are learning from you and they see and hear more than you think.
  8. Don’t tell them about God. Show them His work and help them build a relationship with God.
  9. Try not to react or discuss situations when you’re upset. Give it time and revisit it when you have a better mindset. Allow them to share their perspective as it may change yours.
  10. Remember, you were a child once.

With Love,
Marala

Marala Scott with her children
Marala Scott accepting The Shory Award for Best Parent

Watch Marala Scott at The Shorty Awards

Read Marala’s Books

 

maralascottsblog children, Forgiveness, God

Aching Heart

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My heart is aching and the core of my soul hurts deeply for the victims, families, and community of the tragedy in Connecticut. I am certain yours does too. The children that woke up and went to school on this tragic day had laughter, dreams, love, friends, family, and beams of excitement for the upcoming Christmas holiday without a thought of any day being their last, let alone today. The adults that were murdered, had plans for their students and said goodbye to their families, not ever imagining it too, would be their last. There were many words unspoken because no one knew it was their time to do so.

A disturbed son made a conscious choice to extinguish a part of his mother’s life, as what may have been vengeance, before taking her future and causing pain to his own family. No one will ever come to fully understand why.

This country now has yet another historic and senseless tragedy and these families are bound to grip this unforeseen pain. Upon reading this, please take a moment and pray not only for what we know about this situation, but for what we don’t. Pray that it doesn’t continue to happen and devastate lives. Pray that these families can heal, in time. Pray that peace comes upon this community and the country comes together to help find a resolution. And pray for God to embrace these beloved souls in His arms for all eternity as their life here has been cut short.

May God Bless Us All
Marala Scott

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maralascottsblog God, Happiness, inspirational stories, relationships, Self-Love

Family Is …

Many times people keep ties or close relationships with family members that are emotionally unhealthy because they feel they don’t have anyone else or they are supposed to simply because it’s family. Although it’s often said that, “blood is thicker than water,” to the contrary, water is more pure and so are many relationships that are not of your blood.

It’s one thing to love your family in a healthy manner but to have love out of obligation that is only masked behind hate, anger, and resentment is detrimental. Whether it’s you carrying resentment or other family members throwing a series of jabs, if you can’t work it out you’re really doing yourself and them a disservice.

Fighting to keep your relationship intact just to continuously fight brings damaging emotional results, as well as, much wasted time. Make conscious efforts to work towards resolutions and compromise to alleviate stress. If there is something standing in the way of a better relationship with your family that you or they don’t feel can be resolved, then step out of the fight. You may never agree, which means the battle will be ongoing.

Putting your energy into healthy relationships can often bring you more peace, love, and support. God puts good people in your life so appreciate them as you would family because family isn’t always of the same blood. People that love you, show respect, help you thrive, encourage faith, and believe in you are those you hold onto and do the same for.  Don’t stay in a relationship to cause hurt or take it. Sometimes space brings time to reflect and ultimately appreciation.

maralascottsblog God, Happiness, inspirational stories, relationships, Self-Love

The Ties That Bind Can Tear Us Apart

The ties that bind are sometimes the very ties that tear us apart, yet we stay within the proximity to allow the pain to continue on the path causing destruction. Because someone is family doesn’t mean that you should allow them to continuously plant deep seeds of negativity that will grow deeper roots of anger and discouragement inside of you. Although family is supposed to be our lifeline of encouragement, trust, protection, and love it doesn’t always turn out that way. It doesn’t mean you are bound to accept their ways as the way it is supposed to be either. You are not meant to remain a victim and let it wear you down until you can’t function to the capacity you are destined. There is much more to life than waking up each day to fight against those you love. Sometimes, a breath of fresh air and a move towards independence is liberating. Although it may seem difficult to do, it is self-destructive to continue taking. Progressing away from family, if done with positive intentions to better yourself and life as a whole, can be healing for all. It will allow you time to grow, reflect, and understand. You may never know where someone’s pain comes from but you will come to realize that his or her pain is not meant to be yours. This life is a journey and the journey is your individual imprint. Use your powerful prayers to bring God’s favor in order to help them heal.

Hard Work + Faith = Success