Ally Keefer
February 26, 2025
Growing up in a home that lived by the principles found in the Growing Kids God’s Way parenting class, I did not understand the impact that it would make in my adult life. I always thought that my parents were strict and made me take too much responsibility when I was only a kid. But the older I have gotten; I have begun to appreciate my childhood more and more.
As I have been through college and begun living on my own with roommates, I see so many habits that have naturally been instilled in me, principles such as the preciousness of others, respect for peers and property, and being grateful and kind have become intentional themes in my life.
After graduating from college and moving across the country by myself, I have begun to recognize the importance of these principles in my life. No one is telling me what to do or how to live my life. But through growing up with a high emphasis on responsibility and self-control, I am able to naturally set and achieve goals of who I want to be. While self-discipline is never fun, I’ve learned you can‘t reach your goals without having the discipline to hold yourself accountable to always work toward them.
Another big theme my parents learned from the Mom’s Notes, written by Joey and Carla Link is “with responsibility comes freedom”. So often in my life, I have to limit my own freedoms because I recognize that I do not have the mental or physical capacity to increase my responsibilities in a new area. As much as I would love to go do everything I would want to do, all of these activities and organizations take time to participate in well. Instead, I must carefully value my time and strive to use my gifts in the most practical and God-honoring way. This leads me to carefully value how I spend my time and energy.
Finally, I can only credit where I am today due to God and my family. Growing up, we would always talk about doing hard things and living a life intentionally. Through growing up being encouraged to glorify God in all that I do and to not waste my life, I was given the confidence to take a job across the country from where my family lives. While it was challenging to move away from everything that was familiar to me, I knew in order to situate myself in a place for ministry, I would ultimately be supported by my family no matter where I ended up because I was practicing the values that I was raised with but mostly because of their wholehearted love for me.
Ultimately, I am so thankful for the principles behind Growing Kids God’s Way and the Mom’s Notes. As useful as the practical lessons are, I believe the principles behind the steps it gives parents are truly what have shaped my life. I have learned to look to others first and value them more than myself. I have learned to not only respect others but also respect myself and my time. These are principles that will last for a lifetime and will hopefully enable me to further proclaim the name of Jesus to everyone I encounter.
“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”
Proverbs 22:6
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