When Those Moments Come …

“And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today.  Repeat them again and again to your children.  Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.” (Deuteronomy 6:6-7, NLT)

It was one of those wonderful fall mornings when I found myself sitting outside on the patio drinking a cup of coffee and watching my youngest granddaughter.

She was playing all sorts of games … talking to imaginary friends … all the things little ones occupy themselves with.  And then it happened …

She stopped what she was doing and was looking up to the sky, when she exclaimed with great enthusiasm, “Papa Bear, look, there is a Stegosaurus!”

Being the wise old guy that I am, I stood up and said where? She pointed it out to me and sure enough … the clouds were shaped like a dinosaur … but only for a brief moment and then they moved on!

Life is like that … just when you might least expect it … a wonderful opportunity to share a few moments and talk about the Creator … of the clouds, the dinosaurs of past ages … of His awesome power, knowledge, and love!

I must tell you that when she ran off to talk with her imaginary friends … I took the moment to express my deepest thanks to our God for giving me such a wonderful teaching moment!

As parents and grandparents … we search our hearts to determine what is really the best for our children and grandchildren’s welfare and lives!

Education certainly has its place … along with developing social and in some cases athletic skills and musical talent!

But are we in tune with what the real meaning and value of life is … that of loving, obeying, and serving our Lord … and doing so “with all of our heart, soul, strength, and mind?”

We read in God’s Word that, “For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.” (Romans 15:4)

Most of us who have spent any amount of time reading and studying the Old Testament are familiar with the instructions God gave to His people through Moses.

And that it didn’t take very long for them to no longer “remember” these instructions … thus failing to “follow” them!  And the results were catastrophic!

They neglected to teach their children about the things of God and all that He had done for them! Their failure led to the progression described in Judges 2:10, “When all that generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation arose after them who did not know the Lord nor the work which He had done for Israel.”

Is there a possibility we might become guilty of the same mistake?  Pride can prevent us from seeing or even admitting the truth!  So … may each of us pray to this end that we will “… be teachable … humble” about these things.

We are in fact living in a time when the culture of our society is at war with the family … yours and mine … and our youngest are among the most vulnerable!

Teachable moments are hiding everywhere.

We must look for and seize the moment … not to preach at them … but to encourage them to want to grow closer to the God of Heaven … who contrary to popular opinion is not dead … but is VERY MUCH ALIVE!

We must teach them of His great love … power … kindness … care … patience.

If you have sat in an assembly when the song leader chooses to lead Jesus Loves Me … you know what I’m talking about … oh, do the little ones sing out … and then somewhere along the way … as they get a little older, unfortunately, some think they are too big to sing a children’s song.

Well … Jesus Loves Me … isn’t just a children’s song!  It is a song for all who cherish the knowledge that they are loved and cared for by the One who made them

“Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so!”

 Bill Fairchild, Jr.

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