My mother, the wise Christian woman I learn from, posted this on facebook the other day:
Yesterday I heard about how Jesus compares us to sheep. Not lions or rhinos or something cool. Sheep. They are a dumb animal and listen to the voice of their master to keep them safe. Those that wander off can't hear the voice of their master and are led astray and lead their little lambs down with them. Lead your little lambs to God and set a good example for them. Take them to church and teach them to listen to the loving voice of their master so that one day you will be together in heaven. The only thing you can take to heaven are your children. This poem says it all.
‘Twas a sheep not a
lamb that went astray
In the parable Jesus
told.
‘Twas a grown sheep
that wandered away
From the ninety and
nine in the fold.
And out on the
hilltop, and out in the cold,
‘Twas a sheep the
Good Shepherd sought.
Back to the fold and
back to the flock,
‘Twas a sheep that
the Good Shepherd brought.
Now, why should the
sheep be so carefully fed
And cared for even
to-day?
Because there is
danger if they go wrong,
They will lead the
lambs astray.
The lambs will follow
the sheep, you know,
Where’er they
wander–where’er they go.
If the sheep goes
wrong, it will not be long
Till the lambs are as
wrong as they.
So still with the
sheep we must earnestly plead,
For the sake of the
lambs to-day.
If the lambs are
lost, what a terrible cost
The sheep will have
to pay!
-C.C. Miller
Our Children are the only things we can take with us to Heaven. That right there says it all. It is my duty as her mother to give her the foundation of a relationship with God. To know the merciful Father in Heaven that she can always turn to and cast her cares on. And if she decides later in life that she wants to venture away from her faith, that will be her decision. But I will know I instilled what I could in her.
If I didnt, what kind of sheep would I be? I would let my little lamby wander this Earth with only earthly things to turn to. That is not the kind of life I want my daughter to know. This world is cold, cruel, and harsh because of the sin that has infiltrated our homes and lives. But when you know God, that cold cruel world has hope. Faith that one day this earth will be gone and we will journey to our heavenly home full of joy and wonder. Faith that through the Lord we can accomplish anything. Faith that through the Lord we do not have to struggle alone, we can cast all our cares on him. Doesnt that sound like a much better life? I know it has been for me since I gave my life to God.
"How do you even know there is a heaven?" Well I know because my faith and the bible tells me so. And if there isnt, then I will lay in the ground for the rest of eternity and wont know the difference. But if there is, I would rather have my faith and know I will join my Father in heaven, and my parents, and hopefully Lindsey someday, rather than take the chance of going the other way.
We were told this the other day in bible study: "Theres a price to pay if we would gain spiritual wisdom, but there's an even greater price to pay if we dont gain it."
Guide your lambs. Take them to church. Read to them their bible. Make sure they know the rainbow is Gods way of telling us he will never send another flood (Gen 9:13-17 NIV) Make sure they know that the Lord has a plan for them. Plans for a future and plans for hope (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV)
And above all make sure they know "For God so loved the world that her gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16 NIV)
