When A Child Stumbles

And God Loves You So Much MORE!

One of the greatest joys that we experience in our lives is the birth of our precious children and grandchildren. And even greater than that is the rejoicing that we have in our hearts when they commit their lives to the LORD who created them and provided redemption for them.

It is our deep desire for those children that they will know Christ early and that they would walk hand in hand with him all their lives. We want so much to see them live pure and holy lives and avoid the dangers and pitfalls of the world around them.

While I truly believe it is not inevitable that children take dangerous detours in their lives, I also know that some of them will do just that. So many times we have said, "if only they could learn from the mistakes (the actions and consequences) of others." But all too often children, teenagers, and adults will fall on our faces and find ourselves mired in the results of our foolish decisions and in need of repentance and forgiveness.

Are you a child who has wandered from the safe walk with Christ? Have you stumbled? Have you fallen? If so, I would like to talk with you for just a few minutes. IF you were in our family, this is what I would like to say to you (and if you aren't, I care JUST as much):

"Honey, I remember when you were born. Oh, you were so precious to us and you still are. I wish I could pick you up and hold you in my arms again, just as you see me holding Matthew in this picture. I would look into your face and hug you and smile. I would thank the Lord that He brought you into our family to love and to cherish. What a joy it is to know you, to care for you, and to teach you. You have done some things that have displeased the Lord and have disappointed us. We have shed tears over the choices that you have made. But it is important for you to know that GOD has not given up on you. And WE haven't given up on you, either. Our love for you doesn't depend on how you have behaved. We love you because we love you. You may choose to continue on the wrong path, but there will never be anything in your life that will cause us to stop loving you.

"You need to know that there is NO sin that is too bad for God to forgive. He has promised that if we 'confess our sin, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sin and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness'. You also need to know that God cannot lie and that He always keeps His promises. Maybe you are convinced that the ways of the world are more fun and you don't want to live for Jesus. If that is the way you feel, you are wrong. If you are a Christian and following the path of the world, you are going to be hurt sooner or later. You may think none of the bad things out there will ever touch you. You may think you are too smart to mess around with drugs, be robbed, be kidnapped, be hurt or killed in an alcohol or speed related accident, become a parent too soon in an unplanned event, or be physically abused. That kind of thinking is common, but it is a pathway to a lot of grief.

"I want you to know that I love you. I pray for you all the time that you will listen to the Lord and follow Him all of your life. THAT is the path to true and lasting happiness. We are here and willing to talk with you and pray with you at any time. Come over if you can. eMail us, call us on the phone. We are here for you. Remember this: the things of this earth are temporary and we must set our sights on something that is 'far better'. You know what that is!"