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Childlike Faith
For I am not ashamed of the
gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one
that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. Romans 1:16
Growing up in a preacher's
home had some advantages and disadvantages. Like most PK's (Preacher's
Kid), I wanted to be a "regular guy," with my own identity. I
hated the fact that the adults in the church thought they could tell me
how to act or behave just because my Dad was the preacher. But, being a
PK had its advantages too.
Many Sundays, someone from
the church would have us over for a Southern fried chicken dinner or homemade
ice cream. When I reached "working age," some of Dad's members
would hire me to mow their lawn or chop their weeds.
As I look back on it now,
the greatest advantage was getting to know some great men of God. Traveling
evangelists, denominational workers and other pastors all seemed to find
their way to our home to put their feet underneath my Momma's table.
The exposure wasn't limited
to our home. Because I was a PK, I went with Dad to conferences and conventions.
One event stands out in my mind. We drove to Cotton Center, Texas, to attend
a witness training. Though only eight years old at the time, I listened
as the seminar leader taught that witnessing was the responsibility of
every Christian and then showed us how to share our faith.
I was too young then to know
that some Christians are willing to teach about evangelism and others are
willing to study about evangelism, but the church REALLY doesn't expect
Christians to witness. I took the training seriously and began to share
my faith on the playground, at church and in our neighborhood. I discovered
it worked; children came to Christ. Not because I was a skilled witness,
but because the gospel is powerful.
I can't remember the names
of those children, but God can, and He will spend eternity with them. Oh,
there is one name I remember. Lori! A few years ago, I stood at her grave
side and prayed. "Lord, thank you for the power of the gospel that
saved my little sister when we were just children. Take good care of her,
Amen."
In that moment, I was grateful
for childlike faith. The faith I had to share, and the faith she had to
believe.
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