Telling the Next Generation

Scripture for the Week: O my people, hear my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter hidden things, things from of oldwhat we have heard and known, what our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their children: we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done. He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel, which he commanded our forefathers to teach their children, so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children. Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands. Psalm 78:1-7
As Christian believers we have a duty to pass to future generations our faith and belief in Jesus Christ. We are to uphold the teachings of our Lord and continue in obedience to Gods Word through our own actions, words and deeds. We will teach volumes simply by the way we live, the words we use and the actions we show towards others. Parents strive to attain the proper upbringing of their children. But sadly, spiritual growth often moves to the back burner of priorities. We become a whirlwind of multitasking as we shuffle our children from one activity to another. When in all honesty, if we demonstrate our love for the Lord Jesus by regular church attendance, reading our Bibles, and praying with and before our children it will overshadow a preconceived list of flurry. As our children grow, if the Lord and our service to Him have been important in our lives, our children will follow the same path and become regular attendees in a body of believers. Hopefully, they will nurture their spiritual lives with daily prayer and reading Gods Word and as they mature in age and have children of their own, their torch of faith will burn brightly as they share with generations to come. I remember a conversation I had with my son when he was very young. He loved to watch as the men picked up trash with their big trucks. My son intently would observe a guy holding onto a handle found on the back of the truck and jump off to collect garbage at each driveway. As he jumped back onto the truck to head to the next collection spot, my son would say, Mom, when I grow up I want to be a trash collector. I would answer, Son, that would be fine, but first get your college degree and then you can own the trucks! I

was very focused on my children having their college degrees and being able to earn a good income. However, as time progressed and I matured in my faith, I realized that where they worked really didnt matter as much as their eternal destination. I began to refocus my answer with, I dont care if my son hangs on the back of a truck collecting trash if that makes him happy as long as he has Jesus in his heart. Jesus will take care of his needs. As parents we want the best for our children and Jesus is the best. Jesus provides answers in a world full of situational ethics and lines being crossed. The Word of God has the truth inscripted throughout its sixty-six books of God-breathed instructions. It is the best gift we can give our children as we walk alongside them growing our faith and theirs until God calls us home!

I am so thankful, Lord, that I was raised in a home where my parents took me to church every Sunday. Listening to gospel music on the television each Sunday morning as we got dressed for church and hearing my dad whistling as he shaved are some of my fondest memories. Having a mom that cared that we looked our best and remembering those Saturday nights when she would polish on our shoes is close to my heart. God remains the same and I praise you for my parents passing their love for Jesus onto me. May we continue to follow the examples shown us by faithful followers and lead the next generation to the foot of the Cross. In Jesus name, Amen!