Remember what Christmas was like when you were a kid? Or even better...remember hearing your grandparents talk about what Christmas was like when they were kids. Some had it better than others. My Mom and Dad were in the recession. There wasn't any money to buy shoes much less gifts. My grandparents had it even harder. They made gifts for each other. That might be a dress, a shirt or a pair of socks. But one thing they had was each other. The family unit was important then. It should be important now.
We just had a Christmas party with gifts, pictures with Santa, and worship for the children and foster parents/parents of Anderson County, Tennessee at our church. This is an important thing to let people know they are loved and more importantly that God loves them more than they know.
But how do you tell a child that they are loved by God when their own parents and family members abuse and neglect them and tell them they are no better than the dirt they were living in? I remember when we first received our precious 3 year old foster child. She was skinny little girl matted with dirt on her face and her hair and her clothes of which had dog feces all over it due to the conditions she was pulled from. My wife and I immediately took her to Wal-Mart and bought her some clothes. I remember her when we asked if she like these clothes she would take them in her little hands, and smell them (to make sure they were clean) , then say they were fine. It almost broke our hearts that she could be so neglected.
How do you tell a little one like that that there is a Savior who loves her and died for her and that she is loved more than in just telling her? Most of these kids came from lives we wouldn't wish on our worst enemies. I won't go into more detail than this, except all you can do when you pray is say "Why?"
Why would a parent allow their children to be neglected and uncared for no matter how much drugs they shoot or swallow or inhale? The capacity of cruelty we humans are capable of will stagger the mind.
Then you ask..."How can a God love such wretched souls as the human race?" I mean God knows the hearts of everyone and He still chose to send His only Son to be murdered on the cross by us so that He can pay for our sins and give us the choice of our eternity. That is a love that I still find hard to believe, but I do.
So in answering our question of the children: Show them what love is. Show them what it means to be loved. Show them what a true man and woman of God is. Show them that although we make mistakes, that although we heinously mess up, that there is a God who loves them NO MATTER WHAT!!!
I don't claim to be a Billy Graham. But I am trying daily or as the apostle Paul said "crucify myself daily" to be the love of God on this planet while I am here. I will mess up. I will miss opportunities. But I will make a conscience effort to be the love of God to these hurting people who know no love.
So this Christmas, be the love of God to everyone you meet. No, make an effort all through the year. I am not saying you should Foster some children - although God may lead you into that - all I am saying in this is show the love of the Father. Christians unfortunately lose sight of that along the way. Ask a waitress.
The point of this is to say that He Loves You. No matter where you have been, and no matter where you are going. His arms are open wide patiently waiting for you to turn to Him. If you do not know Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world, the Creator and Finisher of our faith, the King of Glory, and the best friend you could ever know, think on these things we just talked about. It is so easy because of His sacrifice on the Cross for your sins. Ask Him for forgiveness in your doubt, to come into your life right now, and help you to live daily with His love. That's all. It's that easy. No hoops to jump through, nothing to chant, just a God who loves you. It's called free eternal salvation. And it's yours for the asking. But you will need help for daily living. Find a church and someone to mentor you in this new Christian life.
I would love to hear from you if you need prayer or just to rejoice with you in your decision.
May God bless you and your family this Christmas and throughout the New Year.
-Pastor Rob Lawler
pastorrob01@gmail.com
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