Monday, November 18, 2013
Bring Up a Child in the Way He Should Go
But Jesus called the children to him and said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these."
- Luke 18:16
Our family enjoyed a wonderful event this weekend as our almost-eight-year-old granddaughter, Charlotte, was baptized into the faith. Ed and I traveled to Jacksonville to be at Deermeadows Baptist Church Sunday morning to see her immersion. What a joy it is to know that our grandchildren are being led by Christian parents (the ones we raised!) and nurtured by their churches.
We have been blessed to see three of our four grandchildren make their professions of faith and be baptized. Our oldest grandsons live in Tennessee. Andrew, the oldest, entered the pool on an Easter Sunday. We were there. Jack, his brother, was baptized in a lake and it came about so quickly that we had to enjoy that one through the magic of Skype.
Charlotte wrote God a letter and left it by her bed. She asked God a question and expected a written answer, like the ones she got from Santa Claus or his Elf on the Shelf, Jingle. In the ensuing conversation with her mother, she learned that God doesn't talk to us that way. God speaks through his Word and our hearts. As the conversation ended, she prayed and asked Jesus into her heart. The ministers at her church talked with her and two weeks later, she was baptized.
I wonder how many parents would not have noticed that their child wrote a letter to God. How many would have laughed it off or mocked the child for trying to talk to God. How many would have said "You're too young to know what you're doing." I'm so glad my daughter took it seriously. The picture above speaks volumes. Either we control what our children learn or they will get whatever the world throws their way. Even as little children, we come to Jesus with as much knowledge as we have and grow as long as we live.
Charlotte's brother, Nathaniel, is four. We have one more to bring into the fold! He's already following what his parents value and what his sister does. He told his father quite emphatically, "I want Jesus in my heart! I want to be baptized!"
Good for you, sweet boy. And the Good Lord willing, your Mimi and PawPaw will be there to share it with you.