Thursday, May 23, 2024
(click here to listen to or read today’s scriptures)
Character rock
Receive the word of God, not as the word of men, but as it truly is, the word of God.
Assuming I have one, what will my gravestone say? I haven’t thought about it much. My friend Jack’s said, “Free at last, free at last, thank God almighty, I’m free at last!” My parents and grandparents just put dates on their stones, no epitaphs.
Fear not when a man grows rich, when the wealth of his house becomes great, for when he dies, he shall take none of it; his wealth shall not follow him down.
Yesterday the teachers at our grandkids’ classical school gave each student a “character rock.” Jasper’s teacher painted his yellow, because she knew it was his favorite color. She chose “diligence” to write on his rock, and bestowed this gift on him. Not just the rock, of course, but her recognition and appreciation for that trait in his nearly five-year-old life. In her note for him, meant to be kept forever, she said he surely has one of the greatest smiles in the world.
“I love you, Jasper, and I am so happy to have had you in my pre-school class.”
His teacher defined “diligence,” the character trait she saw in him, with Colossians 3:23:
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.
Be diligent, Jasper, now and always.
What a great idea, this rock thing. We didn’t have character rocks at the grade school I went to in Lincoln. The public schools in Urbana didn’t have them either. I am happy to be participating as grandparents in the school Miles and Jasper have attended all their lives so far. At the beginning of their all-school gatherings they sing “Amazing Grace.” At the end they sing the doxology I learned at Zion Lutheran Church 70 years ago. The melody has not changed. As a large group they share a bible study.
Yesterday’s convocation took awhile. Lots of thank-you’s, a sweet musical slide show of the year’s activities, and finally graduation. Jasper’s class stood, along with two other pre-school classes, to hear the hallowed words: “You are now officially kindergartners!” Miles class stood too, along with two other first-grade classes to hear: “You are now officially second-graders!”
Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were put around his neck and he were thrown into the sea.
We thought carefully about our decision to send Chris, Marc, and Andi to public school. We don’t regret it, and I don’t think they do either.
If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off.
Now our grandkids have all been in Christian elementary schools. Jack is in a public high school now, and he’ll be a sophomore next year. All good.
If your foot causes you to sin, cut it off.
Jesus loves the little children. They grow up, and he loves them all the more. Sin crouches at all our doors, and we are continually cutting off parts of ourselves to get right again with God.
But God grows those hands and feet right back. He made new clothes for Adam, and ever since He keeps on keeping on with all of us.
If your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out.
Even my eyes. Doctor my eyes. Oh God, I see your amazing grace.
Maybe some words for my tombstone there?
Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
 (James 5, Psalm 49, 1 Thessalonians 2, Mark 9)
(posted at www.davesandel.net)
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