Sock Day

Crazy sock day was coming up at Blake's school. Jamie had asked me to be on the lookout and wouldn't you know it we ran into each other at Marshalls looking for the very same thing. What a grand surprise for me for she had the boys. We struck out on the socks but did not leave empty handed...there was a great longhorn sweatshirt and a Rangers t-shirt, both trophies for Blake, and Sam was pleased to get a pocketful of Mickey Mouse friends. We left the store and were walking down the sidewalk and Sam ran ahead. And in a moment of sheer pleasure, he saw my car parked facing the sidewalk, ran to the backdoor and started beating on it with a smile as big as Texas.


Sam is a year and a half and is just now picking up a few words here and there, oh but he is makes it clear as to what he wants by gestures, expressions and occasional one syllabled sounds. He wanted to go in my car with me. I had already offered to take Blake for a sock hunt and drop him off later at home for dinner but Sam was not having any part of being left behind. So they both hopped in the car and we were off.
But thinking back on Sam...he is not even two and out of a whole parking lot of cars, he recognized my car before we had even gotten to it.

How is it that kids learn things at such an early age? You know the thing about children is they pick up much more that we realize. They are like little sponges absorbing whatever it is that is in their path. They listen, they watch, they touch, and they absorb, and they act out according to example and what they see others do. Children are smart and often very discerning. They catch what we as adults, and their peers throw out, wether it is consciously or unconsciously. And if we are not on our guard, we are likely to throw out stuff that we would not like to be copied on.

Just think for a minute about Christ when he was in human form, living on this earth. We have read the book, we know the stories but how different would it be if he was in full view sitting at our table, or driving in our car or going to the grocery store, attending our meetings or present when we were making our decisions. What kind of an example would we, as his children, be exposed to? What would we absorb? And how would we be different than we are today? And then I think of Adam and Eve. Whoops....even in the midst of his perfect example, they still messed up, just as each of us does today.

Even as adults, we still behave as children and still need guidance, and still need boundaries, and still need a parental authority to oversee us out of protection and teaching in what is best for our ultimate growth. We will never outgrow that. But the difference in us as adults vs our own children is that the older we get, the more choices we are faced with and the more worldly are the options that are presented. Just as kids are watching our every move and gleaning instruction and direction in actions and words, so are we to be seeking God's example before we make a move. He is the only parental example who has no flaws.

Just as Sam recognized my car from repeated rides and repeated sightings, so are we to recognize Christ when he repeatedly tries to keep us lined up with his standards. Repetition is where we learn our greatest lessons, be they good or bad. So how important it must be for us to be repetitive in reading God's word, hearing God's word and trying to act out based on God's example. There are a couple of well know verses in the bible that reads like this:
Luke 18:16-18
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. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."

Matthew 18:2-6
He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.

These verses call for action. One is to humble ourselves before the Lord as children humble themselves. And the second is an action of responsibility that we as parents and grandparents and friends have towards children. We are to be examples and reflections of Christ and the love that he embraces for each of us and the example that he has shown for us to follow. Children are trusting as we are to be trusting... in all situations. Children, in spite of their mess-ups and mistakes have been covered in forgiveness just as we have been. Children learn by what they see and what they are taught and the examples that are lived by. It is our responsibility to be conscious of what we are allowing them to absorb, by what we are allowing ourselves to absorb. And last of all children are dependent, just as we should be. But just like children who veer off the beaten path of instruction and boundaries and are reeled back in so should we expect that same discipline by our heavenly father.

I adore my kids and grandkids with a love so great that it is truly incomprehensible, just as you do yours. And I love being spending time with them and hearing their stories and being a part of their little lives. But as I write this I too know that I too am a child who is loved with an incomprehensible love. And my heavenly father too cherishes the time that I spend with him and uses that time to build a fortress of might around me so that I will be able to do that that has been purposed for me. The more time spent in any relationship, the greater the bond. But the parent child relationship with Christ built on trust, faith and assurance is braided into a foundation of strength that gives children of all ages a confidence to go forth in spite of the situations before us. He is our example and we in turn are to be examples set forth for our children and grandchildren. Blessed are we are blessed are they.

Oh, and by the way we did find crazy sports socks at Payless, and when I got to their house I was even invited to stay for spaghetti...Mel had a business dinner, and it was a grand ending to a grand day with grand kids.

Dear Lord, thank you for the example that you set forth for us each day through your word, and your deeds and the many people who have gone before us. May we consciously lead and direct our children
down paths that would bring them each day closer to you in a relationship. Amen

Praise God wherever you are and whatever situation He has allowed you to be in . . . His glory will shine through!