");document.writeln("

So he [the business owner] called him and said to him, \"What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your stewardship, for you can no longer be steward.\"¹
"); document.writeln("
My husband and I were youth leaders for 10 years. Many of the teens we worked with came from broken or dysfunctional homes. They had seen abuse, addiction, alcoholism, and longed for love and affection. In counseling these teens, we were able to walk alongside many of them as they worked to overcome their past, studied hard, went on to college, and today have healthy families of their own and are successful.

However, there are also a few of these teens we worked with who fell into addiction and continue struggling today. Many of them have children, but are not in healthy relationships. They were never able to resolve their past and this has affected their lives greatly.
"); document.writeln("
"); document.writeln(" It is not what happens to us in life but how we react to it that makes the difference. Every human being in the same situation has the possibilities of choosing, either positively or negatively. It is not easy to break harmful cycles, but with God it is possible.
"); document.writeln("
"); document.writeln(" It is true that children who grow up in a warm, loving, and caring family atmosphere are given a much greater start in life. However, there is no guarantee that they will become model citizens. They, too, like the rest of us, either consciously or unconsciously, make the choice in how they are going to live their life.
"); document.writeln("
"); document.writeln(" If we grew up in a less than desirable home atmosphere, we can choose to feel sorry for ourselves, play the blame game, and go through life without a goal or purpose\'€”and waste our life. Or, like many people who have suffered from childhood traumas, we can choose to make something worthwhile with our life, grow through our difficulties, and with God\'s help become the person He envisions for us to be. The choice is ours.

"); document.writeln("
"); document.writeln(" Suggested prayer: Dear God, please help me to overcome any and all setbacks I may have had in the past, and, with your help, choose to invest my life wisely. When I give an account of my life before you one day, I want to hear your welcoming words, \"Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your Lord.\" In the name of Jesus I pray, amen.
"); document.writeln("
"); document.writeln(" 1. Luke 16:2 (NKJV).

Today\'s Encounter was written by: Crystal B.

"); document.writeln("