TODAY, TOMORROW AND TOMORROW

"Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them." Deuteronomy 4:9 (NIV ©1984)

Tomorrow is 9/11 and to people around the world, that date has a special meaning. It was not only the day that thousands died, the World Trade Center was assaulted and crumbled to the ground, the Pentagon as attacked and a field in Pennsylvania was soaked with the blood of the brave—it was the day that innocence was lost.

What do we teach our children on such a day as that? To fear people who look or dress differently than we? Do we instruct our children that the world is dangerous and we must fear the night?

We must teach them daily that God is in control of the soul of those who give their lives over to him. By our consistent daily schedule of time: meal time, play time, quiet time and bed time, we teach them again that their world is predictable. We introduce them to the fun of impromptu moments and mini field trips as we stop at the grain elevator when we see it is operating. That trains them that an interruption is not a threat to their routine, but a delightful respite from the ordinary

The most important thing to teach them is that God is the same today, tomorrow and tomorrow. God does not cause pain and injury. Suffering is part of life and the Lord walks with us through the deep valley. Where the Valley of Baca was described in the Bible as the Valley of Weeping and the Valley of Slaughter because it was so dangerous, we can change our fear to blessing and make our children feel safe again. In Psalm 84 it is said, "Passing through the Valley of Baca they make it a spring; the early rain also coverts it with blessings. They go from strength to strength, every one of them appears before God in Zion."

Dig springs of living water wherever you go, so that flowers and life-giving green may grow where we have walked. Love is the only thing that will go with us into Eternity. Turn your fear, your Valley of Baca, into springs of Living Water. While we may not always protect our children from the things of this world, we can fortify them with the water of peace and love that is consistent today, tomorrow and tomorrow. Let us pray:

"Father of Living Water, we bow before you and drink from your cup. The world in which we live has been corrupted by the hearts of evil men but in your valley we can find peace, safety, life and rest. Hold our children even closer to you, oh God, as they see images of falling buildings and those who ran in fear on 9/11. Whisper in their ear of your love and your total protection of their soul. You are the same today, tomorrow and tomorrow. It is the world that is not. And, we are the inhabitants of your Kingdom, the Kingdom of God, not the world of man. In your world there is peace, safety for our soul, light and life for us and those who wait on you. Forgive us when we forget whose we are as we search for meaning. Our strength and life come from you and for this we sing your praises all the day long. In the name of your Son, Jesus our Redeemer, we pray. Amen"

Doris
"God gives us stories that testify to His love. Let me tell you mine." 
Copyright 2012 Doris Gaines Rapp