The "Gift" of Our Example

Wow!.... where did the time go!..I think time travels faster the older you get so please be patient with all of us senior citizens who seem too slow on the highways and who just don't have the "rush" of life in our step anymore.  So, it is not that I have neglected the blog, I just turned around the other day and it was Thanksgiving and just turned back and now it is DECEMBER 1! ..Time is rushing by.  

This year our youngest son decided that it would be fun to go to Wal Mart for the midnight sale! ( I usually am sitting waiting for the sun to go down so I can go to bed) But like any good parent, we headed out to get the crock pot that we so desperately needed! It was an amazing experience!  Herds of people headed to different parts of the store forming groups of "deal seekers" waiting for the big announcement over the loud speaker. "It is midnight! GRAB EVERYTHING YOU CAN!" What fun!...grocery carts were like bumper cars!.. Joy was everywhere as people walked off with big smiles and discounted gifts!... Parents, especially, were willing to stand in long lines outside shopping centers all night just to get that special gift for their children. It was really an example of how giving that special "gift" is such an expression of bonding love.  We do well with giving that which unfortunately has no eternal value . We should and if wise, take those opportunities to point to the greatest gift ever given to mankind... Jesus Christ.

As parents, we must also give to our children the "gift" of our example.  Following Christ for our children is most often taught by our walking in the fear of the Lord all the day.  It is probably the best gift we can give our children. Here are a few more things to remember to put under their "tree" this Christmas:

1."Seek to train your children to understand the connection between seeing good and always being blessed and happy, and doing good where we always choose what is right, and being good, having a heart filled with the fear and love of God."

2."Let them see you walk in the fear of the Lord all the day. His holy presence resting on you and brought with you into daily life."

3."Let them see in your conduct that religion is a holy sentiment and emotion, a power in the heart which moves the will in everything to do what is good."

4."Let the light of your eyes and the brightness of your face be the exposition and the confirmation of God's truth, 'Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord.' "

May you have a joyous Christmas with the gift of Christ evident in all that you give this season and may our prayer be for the new year to come be, "Lord, help me to teach them the fear of the Lord by instruction, and example, and the spirit of my life. May thoughtfulness, and truthfulness, and love mark the conversation of my home."
(quotes from Andrew Murray)