WHO'S CHILD ARE YOU?

When I think of how my offspring live, I actually wonder if my life as a Christian "patriarch" has been a total failure. Of course, that is the devil focusing my attention of the present; neither he nor I know how each life will play out over the time they have left. My "prodigal" daughter keeps reminding me of that as she ministers to me concerning spiritual things. She has faith in Proverbs 22:6, and uses herself as an example of why I should not give up hope. While I know God's Word is true, I also am aware that no one knows how long they have in which to repent and turn their lives over to Jesus. If they all were to die right now, God forbid, I am sure some would hear the Lord say, "Well done, good and faithful servant." I also know that some would spend eternity apart from the One they rejected as Lord of their lives.

Although I am far from being perfect, I have been used of the Lord in the lives of many needing a Christian role model. Just today, a former student of mine sent me a poem about the influence the old make upon the young. And yet, many in my family seem determined to live apart from the influence of Jesus, almost as though they wanted me to know that I have had no impact, or God forbid, a negative impact upon their lives. I suppose I should not expect much more of my family; after all, even the family of Jesus rejected His teaching until after His resurrection (Jn. 7:3-5). And His disciples, called "His friends" in the verse, thought He was out of His mind (Mk. 3:21). The Word, which is always true, says that the family is the most difficult to reach (Matt. 13:57).


Some may think I am judging them, but I am actually observing the fruit of their lives; "by their fruit, ye shall know them" (Matt. 7:16-21). I have an ex-son-in-law in prison for murder; an ex-son-in-law who left my daughter for another woman; grandchildren who are sexually active (and no one seems to care); and there are addictions to alcohol and pornography (both of which I once experienced, but thanks be to God no longer), and there are even rumors of adultery. As I wrote recently: "...Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity" (2 Tim. 2:19)!


I am sixty-eight, and the Lord has insisted that I remain on this planet long enough to see some of my great grandchildren. I have to say that I thank God for my "Alex," Aurora, Rhys, and soon coming "Woody," because they are still precious. They have the sweetness and innocence that I wish could be seen in all of my family, including me. Jesus said, "...Suffer (permit) the little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not; for of such is the kingdom of God" (Mk. 10:14). Oh that we were all child-like!