“I will remember the works of the Lord: surely I will remember thy wonders of old.” Psalm 77:11

This week our family had the privilege of attending Family Camp at the Iowa Regular Baptist Camp.  It is one of the few opportunities we have to relax for an entire week with the children while being fed spiritually through God’s Word each morning and evening.  This year was a bit more emotional for me as I stepped onto the campgrounds because it was the first year of being at camp without talking to my mom while I was there.  Mom went home to be with the Lord last year in August.  My parents taught the preschoolers at Family Camp for 25 years, so the camp is like my 2nd home.  In fact, I always thought I’d build a home and just live there some day! 

This week as I sat on Snake Hill watching my son go down the zip line for the first time, I looked over at the classroom where Mom and Dad spent many hours preparing the materials and crafts for the children’s classes.  I remembered how Mom was very particular about what she taught the children.  She wanted to make sure that the children understood the importance of God’s Word and how they could apply it to their lives.  Every 3 and 4 year old who went through those doors learned about The Good Shepherd, Heaven, How Special Each Person is to God, and most importantly - the plan of salvation.  To this day I can remember those wonderful lessons.  Mom always wanted each of us children to understand that our God is almighty, all powerful, and so very loving.  Through all of Mom’s lessons and stories, I learned how amazing God’s love and mercy is toward me, a sinner.  I also remember the many hours Dad would spend reading Bible stories to us.  He’d also play godly hymns and music in the home in order to teach us even more about our great God.  There were nights I would wake up and tiptoe to the living room.  I still remember the profound impact on me when I saw my dad on his knees before the couch with tears streaming down his face.  I can’t help but believe those tears and prayers were for his children and many, many others. 

As I sat on that hill, I also thought a lot about myself and my own children.  What am I teaching my children and what will they remember when I’m gone?  Will it be about my temporal activities or will it be about the spiritual lessons I taught them?  This morning our speaker had us study Psalm 78.  Read that when you have a chance.  Psalm 78: 1-4 says “Give ear O my people, to my law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth.  I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old: Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their children, showing to the generation to come the praises of the Lord, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done.”  Vs 6&7 - “That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children: That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commanments.”

The psalmist went on to rehearse all the mighty acts of God to the children of Israel while they were traveling to the promised land.  Even though the people complained, whined, grumbled, and disobeyed, God consistently cared for them and showed mercy to them.  The psalmist wanted the future generations to hear of God’s great love for his people so that they would always remember that He will do the same for them.  I wonder how often we let our children know about God’s work in our lives in times past and in the present.  Do our children know who God really is because of both our actions and our speech?  Do we leave that to the church or are do we actively talk to our children ourselves?  History shows that we have an amazing God who never leaves us or forsakes us.  Do our children know that or do we worry and fret about our circumstances - causing our children to doubt the almighty power of our God? 

This week as I thought back to the godly heritage I’ve been given from my parents and as I’ve read Psalm 78, I’ve realized that I need to do a much better job of passing the powerful message of God’s love and sacrifice on to my own children.  We dare not drop the baton in this race of life as we keep our eyes on the final goal.  May you too pass on to your children the amazing story of God’s love to them.

- Becky, www.godseternalmasterpiece.com

God’s Eternal Masterpiece is a family-run bookstore which offers Christian parenting and character-building books to aid parents in raising Godly children.  It has now expanded and is now offering homeschool curriculum and Bible studies also.