Live Only By The Word

While growing up, I attended church with my family every Sunday.  While sometimes I didn't listen attentively, I did always listen to what was being preached or taught to us in Sunday School.  I am sorry to say,  though, that I never questioned any of what I was being taught, but assumed it was Biblical.  As an adult, with children watching my every move, I have now found myself in a spot of utter confusion.  The question that has placed me in this predicament is, "Where does it say this in the Bible?"  Now there are some things that are pretty obvious and very easy to understand, such as the Ten Commandments...pretty clear that you don't kill, steal, commit adultry, etc.  But questions I can't answer?  Where does it say you have to have long hair, wear only long dresses, don't wear jewelry, don't watch tv, don't buy on Sunday?  (to only name a few)  I am seeing so much more clearly that it is this confusion that has kept me from picking up my Bible lately and delving into the wonderful truths that God has for us...the many promises that He offers.  I am starting to see things more clearly now and as I lay in bed early this morning I cried out to God to rid me of the confusion that seems to be around my devotional time.  Here is what I am going to do.  I asked God to be my translator, no one else.  I was shone that serving God is a very personal experience that should be worked out with you and God alone.  I honestly believe that what one person does, I may not be able to do and vice versa.  There is far too much judgement on the earth right now, when the one and only Judge sits on His throne above.  What peace comes when we rely on the Word of God to light our paths and listen for His sweet voice to tell us what to do.  I am sorry to say that at times I have felt like an awful person because I have not been able to line up to what people thought I should be.  Now I realize that it was during these times that I was pushing my "beliefs", which I could not back up with the Word of God, onto other people.  Wow!  what confusion that must have caused!  Yes, I do believe that you have to be born-again to see the kingdom of God...but does that mean that you have to live a life so in bondage to how you were raised?  I think not.  Thank God for my children, who have questioned, "So, Mom, you don't think I can be a Christian and wear jeans?"  or "Where does it say that in the Bible, Mom?"  I think by hanging on to some of the standards that I have hung on to, I have missed out on the one thing that matters most of all...clinging to the Word of God for every day guidance and living by that alone.  Now, I can point them to that Word, the one that never changes, even though people have tried to do away with it all together.  And hopefully, with God's help and with an open heart, I can learn what God would have me to learn.