“Oh, that they had such a heart in them that they would fear Me and always keep all My commandments, that it might be well with them and with their children forever!”
August 10, 2020
Our little four-year-old grandson was at our house, and I was up in my study. I was busy—busy and a half. Well, he walked in there, looked me in the face and said, “You know, Papa, I’m going to have to go home in a little while.” Then he said, “Now, Papa, if we’re going to do any playing, we don’t have a lot of time.”
I looked at that little guy, and I looked at my desk. I laid down my pencil and shoved all that stuff aside and went outside and played, and then we came back in and watched a movie.
It’s so important that we understand God’s plan for the home and the family. Let me tell you why family is so important. A child gets his idea of himself from his family. Children are dependent upon their parents and grandparents, the home, the environment, the people around them, to get some concept of who they are and what they’re worth. A child gets a picture of life from the family. A child gets a picture of God from the family. You see, if the family does not provide an environment of love, forgiveness, mercy, and grace, it’s so much harder for a child to understand those concepts in God. What are your priorities? What are your core values? What things are you willing to die for?
It’s been impressed upon me more and more, I am leaving to my children a legacy. I’m handing off the baton, I’m passing the torch. One day, you will be gone. What is your wife going to say about you, sir? What are your children going to remember about you? “The righteous man walks in his integrity; His children are blessed after him” (Proverbs 20:7).
I try to unplug each morning with Jesus with just my rocking chair, my Bible, and a pen.
Having a secret place is very important because I know that Jesus is always there waiting for me. I know where I can find Him! His presence is everywhere, but there are places where it is so thick you can cut it with a knife. You may not even have a front porch, but there is a secret place for you as well. God’s invitations are for anyone who will respond. There is no more important request than the one found in Psalm 27:8: “My heart has heard You say, ‘Come and talk with Me.’ And my heart responds, ‘Lord, I am coming.’”