The Parable of The Proud Father

The Bible tells us that pride is a bad thing, but THAT pride is the pride of "self." It's okay to be proud of the accomplishments of others, especially those we know and love - our kids. God was proud of HIS Son after all.

"This is my Son with whom I am well pleased." - Matthew 3:17

I was struck by examples of parental pride this week, and in weeks gone by, in the lives of some of my friends.

The opening picture is of my friend Paul and his daughter Abby. She just got done competing in the state track & field championships - the high jump. Abby can literally jump over my wife!! To see someone so young excelling at something is exceptional. What a joy it is as parents to see our children succeed! Congratulations Abby!!

I have another friend in Texas whose daughter is also a track star. Just graduated, this young lady could have made the weight lifting team with all the medals she has on her arms! Her parents are so proud of her. And with good reason. She is an amazing young lady.

Although it is possible for ANY parent to feel good about their children's accomplishments, I am willing to bet that if you asked these Godly parents what they are most proud of in their children's lives, they would answer, "That they are walking with The Lord." And rightly so.

One more story of parental pride for you this morning. This daughter is not a track star but she is a star in the eyes of her students. And in the eyes of her mom and dad.

She had a student in her class who was struggling. Poor family life, low self esteem. But she saw in her student a gift for writing so she encouraged him.

At the end of the school year, during an awards assembly, this teacher presented her student with an award for his writing. The student was shocked. I wonder, perhaps at the moment of receiving his award, if he wasn't also changed - a life re-directed through loving encouragement.

God loves His children. He is pleased with us when we do things according to His teachings and in alignment with His will for us in our lives. I look at the parents of these kids, all followers of Christ. They are amazing examples of what God's love and pride in us is like. One day, may they hear God tell them . . .

"Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ - Matthew 25:23

As proud parents, we have all felt a little bit of what it is like to "enter into the joy of our Lord." May we all live our lives in such a way as to be pleasing to Him. May the pride and love we feel for our children be a reflection of God's pride and love He feels for us. We are to be a shining city on a hill, a reflection not of ourselves but of who we belong to. Let us shine brightly today and make our Father proud, always.

14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." - Matthew 5:14-16

[Special thanks to the parents of these talented young ladies who allowed me to tell their story and use their pictures. You are amazing examples of God's love for us all!]

My Wish For You - Rascal Flatts

Do You Like Payday?

Who doesn't like payday, right? All of a sudden, a couple days a month become extra special days because someone gives us money. Hundreds, sometimes thousands of dollars! And it's not so much the amount of money we get. It's just the plain and simple fact that SOMEONE IS GIVING US MONEY!!

Do you love money? I think most people do. Do you enjoy the feel of money in your pocket? Do you play with coins like they're poker chips? Do you arrange your paper money so it all faces the same direction, fold it nicely and put it into your wallet, purse or pocket?

The Bible tells us that the LOVE of money is the root of all evil. Money itself is not bad. However, it is the LOVE of money that is.

I just read a story of two young friends of mine who thought it was somehow okay to steal some things, sell them and use the money to buy things they wanted. In their case, the love of money got them into trouble. LOTS of trouble.

Have you ever been given something that's NOT money? I'm not talking about the socks you got for Christmas. I am talking about something beyond the concept of money or necessary usefulness like those socks. I'm thinking about something that's actually worth MORE than money itself. Something that's . . . priceless?

A pastor friend of mine recently baptized several people in Lake Michigan. Pictures of the baptisms were posted on Facebook. One of the comments read, "Payday!" That is SO true. Our salvation is something priceless that we receive from God, a gift, when we place our faith in Him.

The other day I was on Facebook. I usually cruise through the news feed looking for friends who might need help or prayer. A message popped up from a young friend of mine who wanted to talk. Last night we met and shared stories from our lives. At the end of our time together we prayed together. On my way home I smiled and thought . . . payday! I was just given a blessing from God. :)

I absolutely LOVE helping others. Money means little these days, just a means to an end. But helping someone in need, helping someone who is hurting or in need of prayer, comes with a much larger reward than cash.

If we truly love God and are obedient to Him and His will, God WILL reward us. Not with money but with opportunities to share God's love with others. The "reward" we seek should NOT be monetary but in seeing God honored . . . seeing HIM get the glory and not ourselves. In so doing, we WILL get paid alright. Through His many blessings. Have a happy and prosperous payday . . . all in the name of Jesus!

"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." - Hebrews 11:6

Money - Pink Floyd 
Child Poverty - Compassion International