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Listen while you read: "Lord Dismiss Us With Your Blessing"1 (Lyrics) |
Our five-year-old granddaughter was very small when she began to talk. She hasn't stopped since. The things that she says are often funny and endearing, but many of her questions are surprisingly sensible and thought-provoking. (I'm still wondering why fish sleep with their eyes open, and how, then, do we know that they're asleep?)
Recently, this precocious child was delighted to discover that I am the mother of her daddy. She then asked why I'm called Nana. I launched into an explanation of family relationships while she listened intently. I finished by telling her that she and her little sisters are our granddaughters. This last piece of information was met with great hilarity and disbelief. "No!" she insisted. "You're nothing to us!"
I gasped. That hurt! Were I not made of sterner stuff I might have dissolved into tears, I was so crushed. Our precious granddaughter, on whom we've lavished love and attention since the day that she was born, completely disowned us with four words. You're nothing to us.
Of course, my husband and I laughed it off. It was innocent and unintentional. Because it was Easter weekend, we were reminded of Peter denying his relationship with Jesus, after they'd lived and travelled together like brothers for years. Afterwards, Peter was filled with remorse. Just as we waved away a little child's comment, Jesus later forgave Peter, because He understood.
God is always faithful, and always forgives us when we truly repent. But the Bible tells us that there will come a day when some of us might be taken by surprise.
Matthew 7:21-23 – Not everyone who says to Me, "Lord, Lord!" will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of My Father in heaven. On that day many will say to Me, "Lord, Lord, didn't we prophesy in Your name, drive out demons in Your name, and do many miracles in Your name?" Then I will announce to them, "I never knew you. Depart from Me, you lawbreakers!" (HCSB)
Many know about Jesus but don't know Jesus. And just like that, with four words, they will be denied. They take it for granted that they'll be welcomed into heaven. What a horrible shock! Naturally, they'll be filled with remorse — but it will be too late.
Do you know Jesus as if He's a member of your immediate family? Is He someone with Whom you can share your innermost thoughts — someone to speak to — and about — at any moment of the day? If not, it's time to draw closer to Him. When Jesus is everything to us, He won't deny us when we meet Him face to face.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, when we're born again, You become our Elder Brother. We confess that we often treat You like a stranger and keep You at arm's length, and even disown You. Draw us closer to You, that we may know You better and better. Amen.
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Yes, JJ, may we always faithfully confess and live for Christ Jesus. Thank you for sharing this devotional with us. Blessings.
I, too, have experienced those shocking words from grandchildren. Thankfully, I don’t have to worry about that with Christ. Thanks for a good word, JJ.
Hi JJ,
It is indeed great to know for sure that through faith we are part of God’s family.
Thank you for writing.
If we love someone we don’t avoid them, do we?
Let us hope and pray that a loving God understands and forgives, even when we allow our love to grow cold.
Thanks for writing.
Hi
I enjoyed this devotion and find it so true. It is sad to think how many know of Jesus but not know Jesus and won’t realize the difference until it could be too late. Praying that does not happen and that God would open the eyes, take the blinders off.
God bless you for the devotions you provide.
Grandchildren are blessings, aren’t they? Of course, there was the time that one of our granddaughters, five at the time, looked at me as I was helping her get ready for her bath and said, “you are old, but you are lovely!” I think that was a compliment. Your devotional today reminded me of that but then you went along the path and made it all very meaningful.
Thank you.
(Texas)
JJ,
Great sharing… Perhaps only God knows the ‘intent’ of your granddaughter’s words, and hopefully they did not accurately express her intent (as you suspect) and know of a little child.
But to use it in this reflection to help us to grow closer in our relationship with God, might have been the intent of God all along.
Blessings.
Oh my goodness, JJ, you just about broke my heart with your story about your precious precocious granddaughter. We never know what is going to come out of their mouths. That certainly shows us how fast little children pick up things we say. Many many years ago my little girl and boy were playing when he burst out and said something so bad to her. I was shocked but decided to be very careful the way I handled this situation. When I asked him where he heard that he said the neighbor said it all the time. I carefully told him what a very bad word it was and told him that I never wanted to hear him say that again. I knew his parents enough to know that was the kind of language he heard from them.
Grandparents are always so special to the children without explanation. I have more great children than grandchildren that have grown up around me but never was asked any questions and they have always accepted me in their special way, adoring and loving me. I have no idea what they asked their parents as I’m sure they had questions What came out of your little girl was not meant to be a hurting thing and she will be shocked when you someday tell her what she said. It matters so much how we treat and what we say to these little ones who have so much to learn about about life and relationships.
Thank you JJ. God loves you and so do I,
(Ca.)
Dear JJ,
Thank you for your devotional.
I especially enjoyed your prayer.
Keep writing.