I am with you always
This morning I woke up to find Jesus on the sink in my bathroom. Evidently when the children went to Vacation Bible School, they had a lesson about Jesus walking on the water. I assume that is how Jesus got into my bathroom to see if He would float in the sink. Printed on the front of the angry waves was the Bible verse Matthew 14:27, “be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.” I couldn’t help but think to myself what an important lesson that is for young children to learn. I’m sure during their life it will be very reassuring to them to know that God is always with them, and they have no reason to fear.
Unfortunately, we as parents, can’t be with our children every minute of the day. So the lessons we teach them in life now will have to be used to sustain them during those times. I think that is what I find most amazing about the Bible, it tells us in so many ways, how to live a good fruitful life. It also reassures us with the knowledge that, if we follow the ways set in the Bible, we have nothing to fear. There is no place in the Bible that promises sunshine, lollipops, and rainbows every day of our lives, but it does promise that he will never leave us and will help us through anything this world throws at us.
I did notice that the children had incorporated a large octopus and a whale in the launching of Jesus and the disciples in the sink. I don’t know whether they were thinking about Jonah, or just thought it would be fun to add some wildlife in the mix? My greatest hope is that they learned the lesson the teachers were trying to get across to them; it is I; be not afraid.
This incident reminded me of my childhood and my days at Vacation Bible School. It was run by a man named OK Jackson, and many of the same lessons were taught to me, and that knowledge I have carried through my life. A couple of years ago my mother brought me some of my VBS artwork which she had kept all these years. There was nothing outstanding about these plaster works of art, but my mother thought enough of them to keep them for over 50 years. As far as I know the ugly fish I made a still hanging in her bathroom, I believe it was from the Jonah and the whale story. (Are whales pink?)
As parents we must instill in our children, lessons that will sustain them for a lifetime. These are lessons they will not get from a Game Boy, TV, or a mobile phone. They will come from dedicated Sunday School teachers, Vacation Bible School, and us, the parents. Don’t send them out into the world unprepared to face adversities, disappointments, trials and temptations. I have said it before and will probably say it hundred more times: Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
We as authors, use our heroes and heroines to teach lessons about life, and how to overcome adversity. Where do we come up with these ideas? You would be surprised to know how many common sense lessons, that have been passed down for centuries, are Bible-based. They worked then, they work now, and they will work in the future. Especially because it comes with a promise from God that He will be with us always even until the end of the world.
When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.
Isaiah 42:2
And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of.
Genesis 28:15
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Matthew 28:19-20
But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.
Matthew 14:27