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Out of the Mouth of Babes

 

When our daughter Courtnie and her husband Matt went away for a short anniversary trip, Dickie and I had the privilege of keeping our three-year-old granddaughter, Kendall, who calls us Poppi and Muffi.  I had recently given Kendall a Veggie Tale Video, part of a series that teaches Christian values with vegetable characters named Bob and Larry. The theme of this particular video was selfishness.

      Traveling  from her house to ours, I enjoyed talking to Kendall, strapped safely in her car seat.  Making conversation, I asked Kendall if she watched her video and learned something about selfishness. She paused for a moment, thinking before her reply.

 “No, Muffi,” she said with a serious tone. “It teached Bob and Larry not to be selfish, but it didn’t teach me anything.”      

        You are probably laughing like I did, but her comment is worth pondering.  Her answer made me laugh.  Her refreshing honesty made me think. How often do we think God’s Word and God’s Truth need to be applied…to others. Have you ever listened a good sermon by Tim and thought of all the people who really needed to hear it? 

      Why do we find it so easy to criticize the sins and faults of others and remain so blind to our own? Take, for instance the wonderful Easter story from Luke.  Jesus told the disciples more than once about the events which would happen in the near future concerning the crucifixion and the resurrection, yet they did not believe it when the women reported the stone rolled away.  After the resurrection Jesus appeared to the disciples and showed them His hands and His feet, patiently trying to convince them that they were not just seeing a spirit. In the midst of their turmoil, Jesus came and said, “Peace to you.”  The Resurrected Lord was in their midst!

        In my pride, I ask, ‘Why didn’t they believe?” The Holy Spirit gently reminds me of my own unbelief.

        Humbled, I agree because I know that I fret and worry and take on anxiety when my Resurrected Lord is standing beside me and offering me His peace. I can choose to trust and I can accept His peace.  I can believe just as the disciples eventually believed.  They worshiped Him with great joy and began to share His truth with others.

        In the midst of our Alzheimer’s, financial ruin, loss, loneliness, wayward children, failed marriages, mental illness, racial tension, heartaches, anger, exhaustion, failing health—in the midst of all these things—the Resurrected Lord comes and says, “Peace to you.”  Jesus Christ makes a difference in our lives wherever a difference needs to be made.

       When I read God’s Word, His Word reads me.  I need to apply His truth to MY heart.  It is a two-edged sword, but it is not to be used to condemn and judge others. His powerful, living Word is for all of us—Bob, Larry and me!

       When we arrived home, I asked Kendall if she would like to go yard saling on Saturday morning. With great enthusiasm, Kendall responded, “You mean like…in a boat?”

        If laughter is great medicine, grandchildren are a great source. As adults, we attempt to teach our little ones, but they teach us so much more.  Out of the mouth of babes, God is speaking.

     “He sent forth His Word and healed them…”    ( Psalm 107:20 )

 By Brenda Walton

                                              

 

For questions or comments you may email the pastor at timbev2@yahoo.com or the webmaster at hffinc@i-c.net