Connie and I had the joy of hosting all our children and their families for a week over Christmas. What a gift this was to us, as they all live on the west and east coast.
We had good talks while they were here, but mostly we just enjoyed being with each other, good food and playing in the snow. We rarely got to bed before midnight.
The cold didn’t stop us…
Toboggan Run at Pokagon State Park
With three grandchildren here, there was regular teaching from the parents on good behavior…
- Don’t walk on the carpet with your shoes
- Put your toys away at the end of the day
- Three more bites before you leave the table
- Talk to me in words
- Your body is in my space
- This is the way we do it at Babu and Kokoo’s house
Eventually these three children will know the right things to do for good behavior in most situations, and they won’t need taught anymore. It will be etched in their minds, on their hearts, and it will be their default.
Yay for Cheerios!
Kai shoveling snow…
There are many people in this world who are wanting to do the right thing, and give it a go. This sense of right and wrong runs deep in everybody. In Romans 2:15, Paul says of the Gentiles (all non-Jews), “They demonstrate that God’s law is written in their hearts, for their own conscience and thoughts either accuse them or tell them they are doing right.”
How does this verse connect to our grandchildren? They have parents who are teaching them what is right and wrong because deep down God’s laws are written on their little hearts. That is part of being created in the image of God; a sense that there is right and wrong in this world. Our grandchildren have parents who teach them right and wrong because they know God’s Word. But not everybody has someone to teach them where this underlying sense comes from. They are forced to figure it out on their own, with cultural help, and give it a go.
That is why God’s messengers are so important. All of us need to hear that not only is our sense of right and wrong from God, but so is our forgiveness when we believe in His Son, Jesus Christ. As Paul says in Romans 10:14-15
“But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, ‘How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!’”
May your sense of right and wrong lead you to the Author of our faith, Jesus Christ, and challenge you in some way to be that messenger to others.
Happy New Year,
