Out of the mouths of children...

In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in thy sight. (Luke 10:21)

For anyone who has a young elementary school aged child at home, we wonder how they will react to the news of the school shooting in Connecticut last week.

My seven-year-old grandson already understood about death and dying (as well as any young child can) since he lost his four-year-old cousin to cancer last year and his great-grandfather died just a few weeks ago.

In his mind, he imagined a happy picture - his little cousin was there with Jesus at heaven's gates to welcome these new children as playmates.

One of the most beautiful tributes I've seen, echoes his child-like vision. I don't know who the author was to give credit (if anyone knows, please let me know!). But I'd like to repost it here - it's well worth repeating!

Twas' 11 days before Christmas, around 9:38
when 20 beautiful children stormed through heaven's gate.
Their smiles were contagious, their laughter filled the air.
They could hardly believe all the beauty they saw there.
They were filled with such joy; they didn't know what to say.
They remembered nothing of what had happened earlier that day.
“wher...e are we?" asked a little girl, as quiet as a mouse.
“This is heaven" declared a small boy. "We’re spending Christmas at God's house”.
When what to their wondering eyes did appear,
but Jesus, their savior, the children gathered near.
He looked at them and smiled, and they smiled just the same.
Then He opened His arms and He called them by name.
And in that moment was joy, that only heaven can bring
those children all flew into the arms of their King
and as they lingered in the warmth of His embrace,
one small girl turned and looked at Jesus' face.
And as if He could read all the questions she had
He gently whispered to her, "I'll take care of mom and dad. “
then He looked down on earth, the world far below
He saw all of the hurt, the sorrow, and woe,
then He closed His eyes and He outstretched His hand,
“Let My power and presence re-enter this land!
“May this country be delivered from the hands of fools”
“I’m taking back my nation. I'm taking back my schools!
“Then He and the children stood up without a sound.
“Come now my children let me show you around.
“Excitement filled the space, some skipped and some ran.
All displaying enthusiasm that only a small child can.
And I heard Him proclaim as He walked out of sight,
“in the midst of this darkness,” I AM STILL THE LIGHT."

Blue Ribbon Babe

“Follow the pattern of true teachings that you heard from me in faith and love, which are in Christ Jesus. Protect the truth that you were given; protect it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.” 2 Timothy 1:13-14 NCV

I'm so proud of my granddaughter - I
 hope you'll forgive me if I brag on her a little today.

At almost 13 years old, Eve is an accomplished seamstress. She enjoys sewing for herself, as well as for her sisters. Eve can even look at things and duplicate them without a pattern. She recently joined 4-H, just in time to enter some things in the local county fair. She won a first place ribbon for an outfit she made for her baby sister as well as a 3rd place ribbon for a skirt she made for herself. Way to go Eve!

I think one of the reasons I feel so proud of Eve and her sewing talents is that I helped to teach her, way back when she was 8 years old. We were visiting her family in Florida and I needed to borrow my daughter's sewing machine to fix an article of clothing. Eve was curious about the machine and wanted to learn how to use it so of course, Grandma had the privilege of introducing her to sewing. After I finished with the machine, I helped her to cut out and sew two aprons - one for herself and one for her sister, Abby. After that, she was hooked!

Once she learned to read, she was able to follow directions on the patterns by herself and now she can make almost anything. When I visited several months ago, we cut out 4 summer sundresses for Eve's new infant sister, Lily, and we spent several hours sewing together to finish them.

It's important to take time with our young people - to teach them skills they'll need to survive in the adult world, and to help them develop their individual talents and abilities. Equally important is to teach them the eternal truths of the Gospel. They need to know how to protect those truths in their hearts, especially today when Christian values and Biblical teachings are being attacked on all sides.

Father, with the help of the holy Spirit, help me to always be ready and willing to teach those around me - not only practical skills, but spiritual lessons as well. Amen!

"Family" moments

From now on you are not strangers and people who are not citizens. You are citizens together with those who belong to God. You belong in God’s family. Ephesians 2: 19 NLV

Tuesday evening, we went to see an Altoona Curve baseball game. We sat on the third base line, down in the first section of seats where we had a great view and a fair chance of capturing a foul ball in the stands.

There weren't too many children at the game because it was the first day of school, but in our immediate section, there were a group of four boys with their dads / granddads and another family with a boy and girl.Naturally, each time a ball was hit in our direction, they all scrambled to see if they could get the foul ball.

By the 7th inning, the boys had 2 balls. The little girl in front of us was growing more upset because she didn't have one yet. Then it happened. A foul ball was hit on the field just below where we were sitting. The 3rd base coach trotted over to retrieve it and the kids all gathered at the rail, hoping he'd chuck it to them. The boys kept pushing the little girl aside as they jostled for the best position.
The coach must have had a mischievous streak because he tossed the ball over all their heads into the stands behind us. A woman sitting three seats down from me was able to get the ball before the boys descended on it like vultures.

She grinned and promptly handed the ball to the girl in front of us as the boys expressed their displeasure. All the adults around us hooted with delight and applauded the woman's actions.
"If I'd have gotten the ball, I was going to do the same thing," another fan said.
It was a "family" moment as the people in our small section of the stands were united together, caring about one young member.

We are so privileged to be part of God's family, not tied together for a moment by a single incident at a ball game, but joined together for eternity by the bond we share in Christ!

Father, help me to share that bond with others so they may know the eternal joy of being part of your family as well! Amen.

Adopted

None of us can choose who our parents will be. But  what a blessing it is that parents can choose their children! Whether the child is planned for and loved from the time they're conceived or actually chosen by the parents through adoption, a child can enter into life knowing they are loved and wanted.

A couple who are friends of my family travelled to China several years ago to adopt a little girl with special needs to round out their family of two boys. Over the years, this young girl has blessed the family and all who know her because of her happy nature and ability to find a way to accomplish whatever she sets out to do in spite of her handicaps.

Her adoption prompted the couple to develop a ministry to encourage  others seeking to adopt, both internationally and here in the US. Because of their abundance of love, the couple recently returned to China to adopt two more  special needs children who have also blessed those of us who know them.

In a spiritual sense, when we choose to follow Christ, we are adopted by God into his family.

"An adopted child is no less a son or daughter than my natural born children. And to apply that in a spiritual sense, I  have learned that to be a son of God makes me no less his son than his true son [Jesus]. Adoption has changed my life. But it's also changed my relationship with my Father in heaven." ~Billl Schick.



“But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.” John 1:12-13 NLT