While hiking with just my boys I learned a lot about both of them. My oldest hikes the way I do. He strives to the top, no need to stop and look at the sites, there will be plenty of time for that on the way down. It is the summit that is his immediate goal. My younger son is like my husband. He likes to notice things all along the way. Each rock, daddy long legs, flower, bug or interestingly shaped leaf is a treasure to stop and behold. Since it was just the three of us we had to compromise and allow time for my younger son to soak up the sites, yet push him on enough so that the marathon hikers would still keep the rush from the climb. Thankfully our conversations helped keep us in line.
Our topic initially was on bugs, their lifespan and eventual death. My youngest then asks, "Would Jesus let a child come back to life after they died?" My oldest immediately responded, "No, they'd be with Jesus and Jesus would need them to stay in heaven." I agreed with my oldest , and added that when children die it is sad for us left behind but, we have the hope that we will all be together again in heaven. This satisfied my boys and the topic moved on to rock climbing and looking out for bees. Later that evening we did our family devotion from a book by Ruth Graham.
Our Bible story was from Mark chapter 5:21-24; 35-43. Jesus was approached by a man who was upset because his daughter was very ill. He was afraid she was going to die. The man wanted Jesus to come and heal her. So Jesus went with the man but as they were approaching the house, someone came to them and told the man, "Your daughter is dead, why bother the teacher any more?" But Jesus told the man, "Do not be afraid; just believe." When they arrived in the man's home people were crying and were very sad because the little girl was dead. Jesus told them she was not dead, just sleeping. Jesus told them to leave the house. He took three of his disciples and her parents into her room where she lay. He took hold of her hand and told her to get up. The little girl opened her eyes and got up. The parents were amazed and I imagine incredibly happy and grateful.
While discussing this devotion we shared how strange it was that we were talking about the topic of a child's death just this morning. Even as a believer in the eternal life that belongs to us through Jesus, I feel uncomfortable thinking about the realities of death in terms of my children. We talked about how God has a plan for each one of us and has planned out things we are to do in our lifetimes. God decides how long we live and only he knows the number of our days. We have to trust in His plan and know our time here is only a blink in terms of eternity.
As my father-in-law and I were hoping to make this devotion a not scary one we began to see that my boys were not at all afraid of the harsh reality of life. They were firm in their faith that Jesus would keep them save and could be trusted. My hope is that they will keep this childlike faith (or perhaps it's more mature than my own at times) and nurture it into a growing relationship with Christ.
Dear God,
I am so thankful that my children trust in You for the outcomes of their life. Their faith, though childlike is strong, and I promise to continue to nurture their relationship with you and teach them more and more about You. In Jesus Name, Amen
Mark 10:13-16 "People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them. But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, "Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it." And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them."
Our topic initially was on bugs, their lifespan and eventual death. My youngest then asks, "Would Jesus let a child come back to life after they died?" My oldest immediately responded, "No, they'd be with Jesus and Jesus would need them to stay in heaven." I agreed with my oldest , and added that when children die it is sad for us left behind but, we have the hope that we will all be together again in heaven. This satisfied my boys and the topic moved on to rock climbing and looking out for bees. Later that evening we did our family devotion from a book by Ruth Graham.
Our Bible story was from Mark chapter 5:21-24; 35-43. Jesus was approached by a man who was upset because his daughter was very ill. He was afraid she was going to die. The man wanted Jesus to come and heal her. So Jesus went with the man but as they were approaching the house, someone came to them and told the man, "Your daughter is dead, why bother the teacher any more?" But Jesus told the man, "Do not be afraid; just believe." When they arrived in the man's home people were crying and were very sad because the little girl was dead. Jesus told them she was not dead, just sleeping. Jesus told them to leave the house. He took three of his disciples and her parents into her room where she lay. He took hold of her hand and told her to get up. The little girl opened her eyes and got up. The parents were amazed and I imagine incredibly happy and grateful.
While discussing this devotion we shared how strange it was that we were talking about the topic of a child's death just this morning. Even as a believer in the eternal life that belongs to us through Jesus, I feel uncomfortable thinking about the realities of death in terms of my children. We talked about how God has a plan for each one of us and has planned out things we are to do in our lifetimes. God decides how long we live and only he knows the number of our days. We have to trust in His plan and know our time here is only a blink in terms of eternity.
As my father-in-law and I were hoping to make this devotion a not scary one we began to see that my boys were not at all afraid of the harsh reality of life. They were firm in their faith that Jesus would keep them save and could be trusted. My hope is that they will keep this childlike faith (or perhaps it's more mature than my own at times) and nurture it into a growing relationship with Christ.
Dear God,
I am so thankful that my children trust in You for the outcomes of their life. Their faith, though childlike is strong, and I promise to continue to nurture their relationship with you and teach them more and more about You. In Jesus Name, Amen
Mark 10:13-16 "People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them. But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, "Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it." And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them."
I had hoped to spend many a relaxing afternoon on the porch immersed in bible study and personal reflection, however I spent many treasured moments outdoors celebrating the wonders of God's creation with my children. I will treasure these days as they so excitedly explored each insect, each cloud in the sky, and each interesting plant they passed along their way.
