Who was an influence of godly direction and love in your childhood? Maybe you have heard, or experienced, that children do not always want to listen to their parents. However, they do often listen to and care about advice and instruction from other respected adults, such as teachers, neighbors, uncles and aunts, or pastors. I received godly direction from all of those people in my life, but my grandfather is one who made a difference which I especially remember.
Some know that I got in quite a bit of trouble as a young child. For example, it seemed I was always standing in the corner, visiting the cloak room, or walking to the principal’s office when I was in first grade. Yup, first grade! Those days were different than today. I would walk from school to my grandfather’s house for lunch. My uncle, a teacher in the school, walked with me. Upon hearing of my struggles, my grandfather came up with a plan. Every day I didn’t’ get in trouble I could put a dime in a jar during lunch. If I put 20 dimes into the jar, he would take me out to eat for a lobster meal, which I loved. (Yes, I am old! A lobster meal cost $2.00 in 1960.) The catch was that every day I got into trouble I had to empty the jar and start over again. I did work to behave better, and tried to improve. However, I actually only earned one meal that year.
Through my life as a young child my grandfather taught me the difference between right and wrong, reminded me of Jesus, showed me a love for God’s church. So, who was an influence of godly direction and love in your childhood?
Unfortunately, our world has changed for the worse. Perhaps because people are turning away from Jesus and His Church, or perhaps because of the internet, child abuse seems rampant. We are told of child predators. All of us can remember such horrors near us, or in our communities. But, children still need godly examples to whom they will listen. Children still need someone to support their parents in teaching the difference between right and wrong, to remind them of Jesus and His love, and to show a love for God’s church
You know that in Scripture God calls His people to raise children in love and in faith, to teach them about Him. In Deuteronomy 6, Moses instructs the people of Israel as they enter the Holy Land, 5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. (Deuteronomy 6:5-7) God calls people to teach their children about His commandments, and about Him.
And in Mark 10 we are told about Jesus. “13 People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.’ 16 And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.” (Mark 10:13-15) Even when others thought that children were unimportant, Jesus took time for them. Jesus showed godly love and attention to the children of His day. Ultimately, those children who knew Jesus’ love were saved for everlasting life.
The other side of this is that there is joy in being a positive, faithful, godly, influence for children. I looked at my picture albums and found 7 fishing trips this year with grandchildren, and also with children from church. I have at least two more such trips scheduled. The children thank me and tell me they had fun, but it is fun for me too. Let me share with you some stories from this summer.
On June 8th, when I first put my boat in the water with granddaughter, Annie, we returned home and she told Kathy, “Poppy made me stop and I didn’t want to.” Annie had caught a lot of trout that night. On June 10th, I took grandchildren Henry and Annie fishing. We had grandkids that night so their parents could celebrate their 15th wedding anniversary. As we walked into the house about 10:00 p.m., after putting things away, Annie said to me. “We were good. We helped put things away. Can we go back fishing now?” (Those words warm a grandfather’s heart!) On June 13th I took a young man from church, Gaelen Swigart, fishing in a canoe on a local lake. Gaelen caught fish on bait, and then I taught him to fly fish. Gaelen’s grandmother, Sara Guhl, later told me, “You cost me money. Now I have to buy Gaelen a fly rod.” J
We had a unique experience on June 19th, when I took Andy’s children, Jackson and Kendall, fishing near our home. Kendall had a fish on the line, but an eagle in a tree was watching, and dove. Kendall turned to me with a look of shock on her face. “An Eagle stole my fish!”
On Father’s Day I was able to take all 6 grandchildren fishing at Finger Lake State Park, with the help of my oldest son, Josh. That was an exercise in organized chaos. Annie was the last to catch a fish. She told me, “You started the motor and scared the fish and it bit my bait.” Hmm.
I took St. John member, Randy Luffberry, and his granddaughter fishing on June 25. It warmed my heart to hear Julia shout, “I caught my first fish!” She later caught 2 more fish. I fished in other places without children this summer. But, on July 1 I took Emma, Henry, and Annie fishing. Emma and Henry were catching, but Annie was getting impatient, pulling the line too fast. I said, “Annie, you have to be patient. Henry and Emma told her the same thing. Annie responded, “I don’t like patience! That means waiting!!” That was a teaching opportunity. I’m told the children will remember these days. But I will too!
Who was an influence of godly direction and love in your childhood? Who, taught you the difference between right and wrong, reminded you of Jesus, showed you a love for God’s church? Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me.’ Let me make a suggestion. . . Take a child fishing!
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