timothypalla
Posts: 32
Joined: 10/17/2006
From: The Gateway State aka The Buckeye State
Status: offline
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Every Friday is a reduced school-work day at our house. Our children pick two subjects to work in, e.g. Science or Math, and after those courses are finished they have music lessons, reading time, or work on their 4-H projects. Yesterday morning my wife attended a new ladies Bible study group in a neighborhood across town and, since my office is in my home, yours truly was in charge of “Half-Day Friday.” My personal work load was a little heavier than usual, so I asked the children to concentrate on helping with some housework.
In between writing, studying, reading and praying my heart out, I provided instructions and check-ups on their chores. My children are loving and compliant, so I was not surprised when they “buckled down” and applied themselves to get their jobs done. Periodically, I would hear things like, “Dad, we’re done with our bedroom. Do you want to inspect it? And what do you need us to do next?” So over the next couple of hours a major portion of the house had been cleaned, vacuumed, and organized. I was pleased by their cooperation and, actually, I was surprised by the volume and quality of work they had done.
Good deeds should never go unnoticed--especially when performed by children. I made sure that I “Wowed” and “Ahhed” at their exemplary behavior. I want to reinforce their mature, responsible and faithful obedience. They seemed glad that their efforts were noticed. When Jenny got home they quickly showed her the impressive results of their skills to which she added her own generous praise.
God rewards faith and obedience. I want my children to understand this powerful and deep truth. As Aidan, Ethan, and Meghan learn to hear and obey the instruction of their earthly authority they will learn to hear and obey the voice of their heavenly Authority. This simple principle is illustrated throughout the Word of God, but one lesson in particular comes to my mind this morning; the obedience of a young man named Samuel.
In the book of I Samuel, chapter 3, there is some interesting facts about this young lad which reveal great wisdom. Verse 1 (as well as 2:18) informs us that Samuel was ministering (working) in the temple. Verse 7 tells us that the young man had not yet encountered the Lord in a personal way, neither had he ever received Divine revelation. Verses 4, 6, 8, and 10 tell us that God was calling Samuel. Verses 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11-18 reveal that, because Samuel was quick and willing to respond to Eli’s instruction, God revealed profound truth to him. As a result, “Samuel grew and the Lord was with him.”
Dear reader, our children’s minds may be filled with facts, theories, philosophies, stories and knowledge to the point of being ridiculous. Yet, if they never learn humility and obedience then they will be nothing more than egotistical annoyances to the rest of the world. If they never learn the fine art of listening or self-discipline they will miss the richest blessings of heaven--as well as the greatest opportunities on earth. Serving God and others is what gives life its richness; its wealth; its purpose. These lessons are not learned by osmosis. Children must be trained to serve.
Yesterday afternoon I showed my three young Pallas how their obedience helped their mother and father, revealed their maturity and, most of all, honored the Lord. It is ironic how much God can accomplish in the lives of our children on “Half-Day Friday.” While they thought the day relieved them from book lessons, they were actually learning greater spiritual, life-lessons of the heart. I can hardly wait to see how the Lord of Lords is going to reward them for their faithfulness and use them for His glory in the days to come.
_____________________________
Abiding in His wonderful grace,
Timothy Palla
tpalla@rocketmail.com
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