Sit down at a table in America, and what is the first thing many people do? Reach for the salt! Professional chefs say that food must be seasoned with salt. Processed food companies and fast food producers add a lot of salt to their foods so that people will like it better.
What does all this mean? People like salt!
People like light, too. Cozy candlelight, flickering fireplace light, warm sunshine streaming in the window—people are drawn to these like bees to flowers. (Or like moths to your porch light!)
Photographers use light to create phenomenal photos. Artists use light and perspective of light to form masterpieces. Human beings now even use sunlight to power electricity and cook food!
When I thought about what I wanted to emphasize with our children as they grow, many things came to mind. The most important were these:
- “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and soul and mind.”
- “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
People spend lifetimes learning how to do these things. What could I focus on?
How would I focus on (1)? For me, that one was “easy.” It is “easy” to love God when He has loved us first and when we find out more and more what He is like. Therefore, I focus my efforts on teaching our children what God is like. How?
- First and foremost, the best way to teach children what God is like is to model it. I made it my goal to follow I Corinthians 13 in my own actions toward my own children. Is it “easy” to actually do that? NO!!!!!! That is why we need the power of the Holy Spirit as parents to help us follow I Corinthians 13 in our own lives and toward our own children.
- Another way to teach children about God is to focus on the beautiful, amazing, lovely characteristics of God as written in the Bible.
How about (2)? This Scripture came to mind:
“Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father Who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16
Earlier in the chapter it talks about salt as well. What do salt and light have in common? People like them!
Good works (including acting in the manner of I Corinthians 13 and Matthew 5:1-16) are certainly something people like! And the good works of a Christian will point to the Founder of those good works—God.
What do I want most for my kids?
I want them to love the Lord their God with all their hearts, minds, and souls.
And I want them to love their neighbors.
One way of doing both is to obey God and be the type of people that other people like and are drawn to—by being light and salt.
PS Happy Thanksgiving to my American friends, and see you all next week!
Christa Upton Black Hills Picture Books PO Box 293 Custer, SD 57730
LOVE & HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You, too, sweet friend!!!!!!!!!!!!!