Over at the Desiring God Blog, they've been posting up some articles on children lately that are great for parents but also contain some really good thoughts for us all.  One that really stuck out to me was 5 Things That Are True About Every Child.  You'll have to hit the link to see all five, but I'll give you the last one because it's so true... of me and you... and every child.

5. They are self-focused and self-obsessed.
Sin causes us to shrink our lives down to the claustrophobic confines of our lives, our wants and our needs. It makes us incapable of loving anyone else.

See if this isn't true of me and you as well...

God Is Writing Our Story, Not Us
Because these 5 things are true of all of us, as God is writing the story of our lives, we're always inclined to try and take the pen from him so we can write it ourselves.

The Bible is one long story with God's notes. Ministry to children—or ministry to anyone else—means helping them forsake the urge to write their own story, and accept instead that God is the author. Then their story will be embedded in God's larger story of redemption, so that in every circumstance they recognize that their life is about and for God.

 

Me:  "Hey buddy... you know what tomorrow is?  It's a really special day?"

Benaiah:  "Really?  What is it?"

Me:  "It's your brother's birthday.  Josiah turns nine years old."

Benaiah:  "Really?  One day I will be nine."

Me:  "That's right buddy.  You know what I think we should do?  We should go to Target so you can pick something out for Josiah for his birthday.  Would that be cool?"

Benaiah:  "Yeah... but how will we get it to him?  He's in heaven with Jesus."

Me:  "Well he's your older brother and so he'll let you have it.  He loves you so much."

Benaiah:  "So we can share!?  Awesome.  I know exactly what to get.  We'll get him a Spiderman toy.  My brother loves Spiderman."

Me:  "He sure does buddy.  That's a great idea and a perfect present."

 

 

 

 

 

 

I miss you today... and I love you so much.