August 7 - Prayer in the Father's House

Lord, You visited the Temple
When You were but a child.
The elders and the teachers
Were astounded and beguiled.

When Your earthly parents found You
They showed worry and distress,
But You responded calmly
"I am about my Father's business".

Your Father's saving business
Filled Your whole life as a man,
Every breath you breathed
Was part of the bigger plan.

I strive to live my life that way,
The Father's house in me,
With You, Jesus, as my constant friend -
My abiding reality.
jj/10


In training for children's ministry years ago, we were told to be very careful of how we witnessed to young children.  For example, a very common phrase was "to ask Jesus into your heart".  Kids are pretty literal and had a hard time imagining Jesus right in their hearts.   The older I get, the more I understand the concept.  When I became a Christian, Jesus filled the void in my heart.  He is always there but I am responsible for letting others know He is in there.  I don't want to hide Him but that is often what I do. 
When I was in grade school, we used to sing a song, the chorus of which was "and they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love. And they'll know we are Christians by our love."  My prayer is to love as Jesus loves, not just the lovable, but everyone so they can see my Savior abiding in me.