These are the random ruminations of a man on the run. The goal is to run this race of life well, encouraging as many as I can along the way, and to eventually meet my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and thank Him for the trip. (I am also prone to shamelessly brag on my perfect grandchildren.)
“Never let what you don’t know disturb your faith in what you do know.” ―J. Sidlow Baxter
My dear Grands,
As I wrote to you earlier in our reflections on King Josiah, my prayer is that you will be known in the circles you run in as having no equal in being a passionate and faithful disciple of Jesus Christ.
But like the times when Josiah lived, it will not be easy.
Like the sun peeping out one last time from behind dark storm clouds just before sunset, Josiah’s reign was the final bright spot in the last declining years of the nation of Judah.
Within a few short years following the death of King Josiah, Jerusalem and the Temple were destroyed and most of the people were either dead or had been taken into captivity as slaves in far away in Babylon.
I don’t know what the future holds for the world you are inheriting. There are definitely a lot of dark clouds on the horizon. But I do predict this: life can be better today because of you.
Remember what Gandalf said in response to Frodo’s lament in the dark Mines of Moria about the burden of being the Ringbearer?
Frodo said, “I wish the Ring had never come to me. I wish none of this had happened.”
Gandalf replied, “So do all who live to see such times, but that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”
Josiah lived many centuries before the Lord of the Rings were written, but Gandalf’s words could have been written for him. Except, Josiah’s dark Mines of Moria were real. He had to make real-world decisions that we will review in upcoming posts.
But the one thing I want to leave with you today is that Josiah determined to make things better and because of his decision – at least during his lifetime – things did get better.
That’s what I pray will happen because of each of you.
My dear Grands:
Choose to make things better!
Let your words be words of encouragement and inspiration.
Let your touch be a healing touch, a constructive touch, a touch that strengthens and helps.
Leave deep footprints where you walk. Make a difference. Have an impact. Leave a trail of hope that people can follow.
None of us can control how the future will turns out – that is above our paygrade. But we can leave the campsite better than we found it.
That’s my prayer for each of you: Because you showed up, things got better.
Love,
Papa
15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:15-16, NIV
These are the random musings of a man whose goal is to make Jesus the paramount pursuit of my life who, while in this effort, is writing down a few lessons I've learned along the way. You'll have to decide if they are worth heeding but at least you may learn a few things not to do.
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These are the random ruminations of a man on the run. The goal is to run this race of life well, encouraging as many as I can along the way, and to eventually meet my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and thank Him for the trip. (I am also prone to shamelessly brag on my perfect grandchildren.)
Taking small steps in the family and in the church to guide children and youth toward adulthood with the goal of continuing strong relationships with God and their family.
