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daily, Bible-based
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"And He took the children in His arms, put His hands on them and blessed them" (Mark 10:16).
This last weekend we attended another wedding. It was the oldest daughter of the very first couple whose wedding I officiated over 25 years ago. What a joy to see another young couple making vows of commitment. They met in Bible College and will serve in youth ministry together in Virginia Beach, so that's an extra special blessing.
As is customary they played a song at the reception for the bride and her father. I had never heard it before but it sure brought tears to my eyes as I stood beside Brooksyne and Ester and watched the bride's father warmly embrace his newly married daughter. The song is called "Let them be little" and upon reflection I could once again see the parents bring little Adrienne to church over 20 years ago when she was a very tiny new-born with brilliant red hair!
Later the bride's father stopped by our table to greet us and thanked us for coming. We reminisced about just how fast life goes by and how quickly our children grow. I know most all of you can identify.
The ongoing challenge is keeping our priorities in order so that we enjoy and bless each stage of our children's growing-up years. Sometimes the challenges of time-consuming babies, overly active toddlers and eventually the unwelcome attitudes of youth trying to find their own identity can overwhelm us. It can make us dream of the day when we are free from some of the challenges, disappointments and ongoing expenses that come with raising our children.
But quickly enough they're out and on their own and we can never turn back the clock. Most importantly is the window we have of imparting spiritual values to our next generation so that they too will pass on these eternal and timeless truths to their next generation.
Our Lord demonstrated His love for children in our daily verse and is an example for all of us. What a joyful time this must have been! One of my favorite pictures of our Lord shows Him laughing as he embraces the little children. Let us remember to always keep our impacting blessing on others foremost.
Be encouraged today,
Stephen C. Weber
Brooksyne's note: I listened to a lengthy audiotape recently written by a famous mother who lost her son to a suicidal death at the young age of 19 years. It was a heartbreaking story as it unfolded and it was clear that the son had a very serious mental illness, but he was also a very gifted and intelligent person as well. The oft- repeated theme of the book was the loving mother reassuring her son over and over "I'll always be there for you." It was touching, but left a hollow ring to me, because I know that mothers and fathers can't and won't always be there for their children - it's impossible and God never asked us to be a replacement for Him. In this young man's darkest tragic hour his mother was many miles away from him. But what if she had equipped him with spiritual truths such as the words of Christ, "I will never leave you nor forsake you" or "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength" and on and on the powerful and life-saving words come to mind as I think of God's Word. In the entire book there was every medical source and financial source provided for this young man but in the end it was not enough. I can't help but wonder if there had been the spiritual source provided if this young man would be alive today.
"Jesus, You are the foundation of my life from which all other resources spring. Thank you for trusting me enough to give me the responsibility of shaping and molding other young lives from their first step into this world to the time they step into adulthood. I pray that You would grant me the needed wisdom, continual guidance, and much-needed patience to be the devoted and loving parent that my child needs to grow into the person You intended. Help me not to look for quick answers or be persuaded by the current philosophies of this world in raising my children, but keep me grounded in the Word of God and in the company of other like-minded believers when I need answers for the struggles I face in dealing with the challenges my children face. Amen."
Tuesday, June
21, 2005
"Let Them Be Little"
"Let Them Be Little"
"And He took the children in His arms, put His hands on them and blessed them" (Mark 10:16).
This last weekend we attended another wedding. It was the oldest daughter of the very first couple whose wedding I officiated over 25 years ago. What a joy to see another young couple making vows of commitment. They met in Bible College and will serve in youth ministry together in Virginia Beach, so that's an extra special blessing.
As is customary they played a song at the reception for the bride and her father. I had never heard it before but it sure brought tears to my eyes as I stood beside Brooksyne and Ester and watched the bride's father warmly embrace his newly married daughter. The song is called "Let them be little" and upon reflection I could once again see the parents bring little Adrienne to church over 20 years ago when she was a very tiny new-born with brilliant red hair!
Later the bride's father stopped by our table to greet us and thanked us for coming. We reminisced about just how fast life goes by and how quickly our children grow. I know most all of you can identify.
The ongoing challenge is keeping our priorities in order so that we enjoy and bless each stage of our children's growing-up years. Sometimes the challenges of time-consuming babies, overly active toddlers and eventually the unwelcome attitudes of youth trying to find their own identity can overwhelm us. It can make us dream of the day when we are free from some of the challenges, disappointments and ongoing expenses that come with raising our children.
But quickly enough they're out and on their own and we can never turn back the clock. Most importantly is the window we have of imparting spiritual values to our next generation so that they too will pass on these eternal and timeless truths to their next generation.
Our Lord demonstrated His love for children in our daily verse and is an example for all of us. What a joyful time this must have been! One of my favorite pictures of our Lord shows Him laughing as he embraces the little children. Let us remember to always keep our impacting blessing on others foremost.
Be encouraged today,
Stephen C. Weber
Brooksyne's note: I listened to a lengthy audiotape recently written by a famous mother who lost her son to a suicidal death at the young age of 19 years. It was a heartbreaking story as it unfolded and it was clear that the son had a very serious mental illness, but he was also a very gifted and intelligent person as well. The oft- repeated theme of the book was the loving mother reassuring her son over and over "I'll always be there for you." It was touching, but left a hollow ring to me, because I know that mothers and fathers can't and won't always be there for their children - it's impossible and God never asked us to be a replacement for Him. In this young man's darkest tragic hour his mother was many miles away from him. But what if she had equipped him with spiritual truths such as the words of Christ, "I will never leave you nor forsake you" or "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength" and on and on the powerful and life-saving words come to mind as I think of God's Word. In the entire book there was every medical source and financial source provided for this young man but in the end it was not enough. I can't help but wonder if there had been the spiritual source provided if this young man would be alive today.
"Jesus, You are the foundation of my life from which all other resources spring. Thank you for trusting me enough to give me the responsibility of shaping and molding other young lives from their first step into this world to the time they step into adulthood. I pray that You would grant me the needed wisdom, continual guidance, and much-needed patience to be the devoted and loving parent that my child needs to grow into the person You intended. Help me not to look for quick answers or be persuaded by the current philosophies of this world in raising my children, but keep me grounded in the Word of God and in the company of other like-minded believers when I need answers for the struggles I face in dealing with the challenges my children face. Amen."
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Scripture
references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version.
©
1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD
BIBLE®,
Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by
permission;
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