The Hearts of Children

As I continue to approach being an empty nester, I heard a statement that continues to resonate with me.  When it comes to raising children, "the days are long, but the years are short."  I look back and wonder where did all those years of raising children go? They are gone and it seems so fast.  But I have very clear memories of changing diapers and driving kids to school and it seemed like it would never end on some days.  Those were some long days.

'The days are long and the years are short' are not just true in a family, they are true in a church as well.  We come to Vacation Bible School week; these will be some long days.  But how long do we have to influence a generation?  How many times will we be granted the opportunity to explain the gospel to this child or that child.  The years can be short.

Let's determine this week to make the most of "today" with the children we have been granted.  Let's put aside our inconveniences, our differences, even our fatigue for the sake of the heart of the child who now stands before us.  He or she may not stand there next year, in fact, today may be all we have.  Let's make the most of it for the sake of the good news of Jesus and for the sake of a generation yet to come.

For the journey...