Living in the Spirit
Light a Candle for Children
September 27, 2014
Scripture Reading: Matthew 21:23-32
‘What do you think? A man had two sons; he went to the first and said, “Son, go and work in the vineyard today.” He answered, “I will not”; but later he changed his mind and went. The father went to the second and said the same; and he answered, “I go, sir”; but he did not go. — Matthew 21:28-30
For many parenting is one of the easiest jobs to get and for all it is the hardest to do. Every human is unique and thus must be shaped and molded differently from ever other child. For one child, parents invest time helping them stand up for themselves; for another, parents are constantly trying to help them see the pitfalls of being overly aggressive. While shaping and molding, the parent must be always striving not to smother the precious individuality in each.
I can identify with the first son in our scripture today. Raised on a farm, I hated working in the garden. It was one of my mother’s greatest joys to be outside amongst plants. My sister inherited that gene, I did not. It was, however, a job that was necessary on the farm, if we were to have food. I am also the youngest in my family so, for a time, my going to the garden was probably a necessity until I was old enough to be left at the house for other duties as assigned. I am sure I was not a pleasant co-worker as I whined about the work and my nose got stuffy amidst the pollen. So when I was about ten years old, my mother wisely started leaving me at the house some hundred yards away where I did some cleaning but mostly cooked. I like to cook. That arrangement continued until I left for college.
As people of faith, we too, are called to help shape and mold children so that they can discover what their special gifts are and how they fit into that wonderful puzzle of people we call the Body of Christ.
Oklahoma Fact: In 2012, 5% of children were being raised by their grandparents.* On any given day, more than 26,000 Oklahoma children have a parent in an Oklahoma prison.**
Prayer: Lord, we lift up to you parents as they strive to shape and mold children, grant them the wisdom they need in doing one of the toughest jobs on earth but surely one of the most rewarding. Amen.