I have a sad story to tell you.
And I wouldn't tell it to you unless I knew it could change your life. Because it's really embarrassing!
*takes a deep breath.*
I hardly ever brushed my teeth for about 5 years.
I'm as much ashamed and sad about it as you are - trust me! I stopped brushing them when I was about 10-ish years old, because, well, I guess I'll take you down my line of thinking.
"Hm... I can spend 5 minutes a day (and the effort that goes with it) brushing my teeth - and see no difference - or, I can use those extra 5 minutes to do something much more important!"
I reasoned, after a year or two, that since nobody had noticed, it didn't matter. So I only brushed them occasionally - when I thought of it.
This was fine and dandy until one day when I wanted to brush my teeth, I couldn't find my toothbrush. So I asked mama if we had an extra, and she found out that I had lost mine and didn't know how long it had been lost. She probed, and found out my very big secret. Needless to say, she was upset! She couldn't fathom WHY I could do such a thing! I, on the other hand, still couldn't understand why it was such a big deal. I was saving time, and it wasn't making any difference anyway! She asked me to do some research on the subject.
So I did, and I found this video:
Oh.
So that's why.
I thought through the last 5 years' teeth-brushing-absence and was very unhappy. I wish I could have gone back and changed that decision. Immediately, I started a 10 minute daily brushing routine that far surpasses my entire family's in glory. I won't go into all the details, but it's quite spectacular. My teeth are treated SO NICELY now!! :D And you're not about to persuade me to forget to brush my teeth!! lol :D
Believe it or not, I think you just actually read one of the keys to preventing teenage rebellion.
Do you see what happened? I continued in tradition for awhile (about 10 years of my life) until I started to think about why I did it. Not having a reason to continue, I went an easier route. However, when challenged to research both sides, I learned the truth and am now solidly rooted in my conviction.
Knowing why is a very strong root. So I encourage you - what are your priorities? Do the people you have influence over know that? And do they know why?
What are your convictions? Show them why. Why can you trust the Bible? How do you know there is a God? Why do you homeschool? Why do you evangelize? Why do you eat healthy? Why do you read the Bible every day? Why do you not curse? Why you sing the songs you do, watch the movies you do, and read the books you do? It's so important. I'm thankful that my parents take every opportunity they can to talk of the law, and explain why it's trustworthy, reliable, and worthy of being followed. It's a big reason why I keep doing what they have taught me.
~ To The Utmost Glory Of God ~