Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Just Something to Remember

Michele and I often talk about how quickly our boys are growing up. I remember my parents telling me how fast the time was passing, but what they were saying never made sense; it seemed to me that it was taking forever for me get older. But, now in my early 40’s (yes, EARLY 40's), the reality is that time does fly. I remember listening to my parents or grandparents talk about when they were children and I was amazed they could remember that far back. Now, I am the one thinking back. I came across this blog the other day and it reminded me of two things: (1) The precious young men that God has given me are not mine, I am just an overseer of them. (2) God has greater things planned for them than I can imagine. Think about getting this letter from your son or daughter. I pray it blesses you as it did me. 


Jim Elliot, who died as a martyr on the beaches of Ecuador (58 years ago tomorrow), to his parents when he told them he was going:
“I do not wonder that you were saddened at the word of my going to South America. This is nothing else than what the Lord Jesus warned us of when He told the disciples that they must become so infatuated with the kingdom and following Him that all other allegiances must become as though they were not. And he never excluded the family tie. In fact, those loves which we regard as closest, He told us must become as hate in comparison with our desires to uphold His cause. Grieve not, then, if your sons seem to desert you, but rejoice, rather, seeing the will of God done gladly. Remember how the Psalmist described children? He said that they were as an heritage from the Lord, and that every man should be happy who had his quiver full of them. And what is a quiver full of but arrows? And what are arrows for but to shoot? So, with the strong arms of prayer, draw the bowstring back and let the arrows fly–all of them, straight at the Enemy’s hosts.

‘Give of thy sons to bear the message glorious, Give of they wealth to speed them on their way, Pour out thy soul for them in prayer victorious, And all thou spendest Jesus will repay.’”