SHARING BREAD6 Children’s children are a crown to the aged,
and parents are the pride of their children. Prov 17:6 (NIV)It was always easy for me to understand the first line of this proverb. While not having any firsthand experience with having grandchildren, it is not difficult to imagine how they could be a crown to me – making me feel like the “princess” that I long to be! Yet the second line always made me wonder – until today. Fourteen months ago my three siblings and I buried our father; today, our mother. It is hard for me to express the finality of “life as it was” that we are now facing. There is something about good endings that are so very hard to leave. You simply want to sit there and savor every past memory, every past sweet fellowship, every past laughter. Like lingering over a fine meal – all the sweet tastes blending together – the blessing of being satisfied – you simply just do not want it to end. But end it does and life continues.After the minister left from discussing the funeral arrangements, my sister commented that we were now orphans! I have heard that orphans do not often get adopted after ten years of age so at 56, 54, 52 and 48 it is not looking good for the home team! While we all know the truth that Jesus will never leave us or forsake us, this passage from one generation to the next – can be a bit frightening at best! We are now the generation to come to for advice and guidance. We are now ON (so to speak)! Are we prepared for the task ahead?When I read the second line of the above verse its meaning hits me a bit clearer now. Actually, the wording is “and parents are the adornment, beauty and splendor of their children”. If parents are faithful to the task of passing the baton of spiritual truths to their offspring as presented in Scripture and living what they profess, their children will be adorned with that beauty and splendor. The sweet aroma of Jesus will be “sprayed” upon them! Paul tells us: 14 But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. 15 For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. 16 To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task? 2 Cor 2:14-16 (NIV) How inspiring to keep us persevering! Deuteronomy tells us: 4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. 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. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.
10 When the LORD your God brings you into the land he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to give you–a land with large, flourishing cities you did not build, 11 houses filled with all kinds of good things you did not provide, wells you did not dig, and vineyards and olive groves you did not plant–then when you eat and are satisfied, 12 be careful that you do not forget the LORD, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. Deut 6:4-12 (NIV) Francis of Assisi: “Remember that when you leave this earth, you can take nothing that you have received…..but only what you have given; a full heart enriched by honest service, love, sacrifice and courage.”May those who come behind us find us faithful.What I glean from this:
- As a parent I am to pass on to my children through word and deed a rich heritage of spiritual blessing.
- I am to be the fragrance of life to those in my sphere.
- I am to remain faithful to the task to the end.
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