March 17

Good morning! My grandparents were missionaries to Indonesia over a period of 25-30 years. They also pastored a few churches in the panhandle and West territories of Texas. Once when my uncle was very young, he fell asleep under the pew during the service. Caught up in the business of pastoring this small town church, my grandparents and mom left church to go enjoy a delicious lunch. Only they forgot one small two year old detail. They left my uncle asleep, all alone, in the dark of the church. Unfortunately he woke up before they realized they missed him. Of course, they did miss him and immediately went back to retrieve their crying, distraught little boy. Could you imagine their horror as they realized what they'd done? Can you imagine what Jesus's parents must have felt like when suddenly they realized Jesus was not with their relatives and friends? Oh my goodness. This wasn't a simple 5 mt drive back to the church; it was a longgggg walk back to a very busy, full city that took days. It's no wonder that when the other people around Him were absolutely amazed at His wisdom Mom and Dad wanted to know why He stayed back and worried them so! Did He stay back on purpose or accidentally? Well, I'm sure His parents sure thought it was on purpose. Hmmm. Maybe so. And of course, His innocent response that He had to be about His Father's business must have floored them. What did He mean? About Joseph's carpentry? What did that have to do with staying back to teach and be taught in the Temple? I have a precious, sweet, beautiful 12 yr old daughter. If she had pulled a stunt like that, I would have been frantic and she would have been in hot, hot water. And yet Mary pondered the incident and His words in her heart. It's amazing to hear our children speak profound things. My own son talks of deep theological things at times, and I marvel to hear him. It's funny when I ask where he learned them, he simply says, "from you, Mommy." Beware! Our children really are listening to us. In one verse it says the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon Him. In another one, Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men. Could you imagine parenting the perfect child? I can't. I see too vividly my imperfections as a parent. It would be one tough job to parent a perfect child, let alone the Son of God! And could you imagine being His parent and loving Him so much and wanting to hang onto their little Boy just as we want to hang onto ours and keep them little just a little longer. But He grew and grew and grew in wisdom and stature. Where did He get His wisdom? From God of course. And you can bet God used His earthly parents, and His Sunday School Teachers, and Preacher. :) Just imagine that with me. God used common, ordinary man to download some of His wisdom into the King of kings and Lord of lords. I certainly believe God downloaded straight from heaven His fair share of thoughts. His thoughts are not mans and His ways higher than ours. But I can imagine that the people God surrounded Jesus with who loved Him and poured into His life were used of God as well to grow His only begotten Son. And to think that even now, God uses us, you and I, to download God's love and character into our children. Into other's children. Into the young in faith. How amazing to partner with our Heavenly Father to nurture His little ones both in stature and in faith?! Is there anyone in your life who you can find to mentor and teach and grow in God's wisdom? A wayward child w/o a father? A young girl who tries to dress like a woman? A young man who's about to become a dad? A business woman trying to balance raising a family and working full time? A group of boys needing a coach in soccer and in life? Opening your hands or home to a child needing a safe place? I had no idea this was the message God would give me today. But it must be for someone. I encourage you. Get with God. Get His eyes fastened on today and look for that very special life-changing opportunity that may be awaiting you this very day. It may be just around the corner. God bless you! Have a beautiful day. Rolanda Green