Billy asked his mother if he could please have a marshmallow. As she handed him one,she said, “Billy, did you know that we were all like marshmallows when the Lord made us?” We were like marshmallows?, he asked.
Just think, Billy, we were all white and soft. If left alone too long without The Lord finishing us we would become hard, just that the ones we found the other day in the back of the pantry. In order to become the best we could be for his purpose for us, we had to be put through the fires of life, not too long, so we would be destroyed, but changed into what we were meant to be.
“What does passing through the fire mean?” Billy asked.
In your life, you will go through things that hurt, some more than others. Like the old song says, “we can’t go over it, we can’t go around it, we can’t go under it, we must come in at the door.” Jesus is that door. The fire here will toast and change your marshmallow as gold is refined until it is just right. The Lord will be with you and guide you through your “fires” in life. You will not have to go through them alone.
Remember, Billy, when you learned in Sunday School in the book of Daniel, chapter 3, verses 24 and 25 about three men whose names were Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were thrown into a fiery furnace. Those who were watching this were shocked to see a fourth man in the fire with them. The Lord promises us that we also will never be alone when we are going through a “fire” in our lives. It will probably not be a literal, real fire as was true of the three who were thrown into the furnace. There will be times of pain, suffering, and grief. The fourth man will be there with us also, Jesus. Hold on to his invisible hand and he will guide you through to the other side of the pain, no matter what is the cause.
So, my little “marshmallow man” let’s toast it just right, just as we will be if we follow the Lord’s recipe for us.
GRANDMA, WHERE IS HEAVEN? A CHILDREN’S STORY BY IDA MITCHELL
The family met at Grandma and Grandpa’s house after Grandpa’s funeral.His young grandson, Billy, watched the sadness. “The pastor said that Grandpa was with Jesus in Heaven.Why were so many people crying?" he asked. Grandmapicked himup and put him on her lap as she had so many times before. Sheexplained thatthey were not crying for him but for themselves because they knew that they would miss him. Billy was quiet for a minute and then asked, “Grandma, where is Heaven? Can we visit him there soon?"
The old woman picked up her obviously well read Bible and told him, "We will check God’s word here and see what he tells us about that.”She started by opening her Bible to the book of Genesis, the first chapter.She read, “In the beginning, God created the heavens, (plural) and the earth."Billy’s eyes opened wide as he thought about the words. "Which heaven is Grandpa in?" he asked. "The first heaven is the one that we see when we look up and see the moon and starsat night and where the sun and clouds are during the daytime. That one is called the atmosphere, a big word for you.The book of Isaiah here says in chapter 55that Jesusis with God his father in the highest heaven, which we cannot see from here, even with the largest telescope man has ever made. In the book of John, chapter 14, in the New Testament, Jesus called it his father’s house.He is fixing a place for all his children there. Here is where Grandpa is." "
"Will Grandpa be able to take the old car he loved in there, too?" Billy asked. "What will Grandpa look like? Will I know him?" Grandma smiled and answered, “So many questions.I don’t think so Billy, but I can’t say for sure.I can tell you this for sure, God says in his word that we will be restored to the person he designed us to be in the beginning.""How is that?" Billy asked.
“Well,” she answered, "say that God made an exception for Grandpa.He let his cargo with him through the gate of heaven.Here on earth you know it was old and had many miles on it. The paint was faded, with scratches and dents.Its headlights were dim and its battery weak. Some days, someone had to give it a push to get it to start. Its frame squeakedand it couldn’t go as fast as it used to.As it passed through heaven’s gate and entered the street paved with gold, it was restored by the Lord.It’s paint was bright and beautiful.It looked better than new!That is what your Grandpa will look like, Billy.He will be young and strong, no aching bones or pain. He won’t need his glasses or his hearing aid. His step will be quick without the need for his cane. He will be a beautiful sightwhen we go through that gate ourselves. That is the Lord’s promise, Billy.He has told us that when we believe in his son and what Jesus did for us on the cross, , that no one or nothingcan take us from his hand.
"Now I know where Heaven is Grandma! It is in the hand of Jesus!"
THE LORD’S LIBRARY, A CHILDREN'S STORY
BY IDAMITCHELL
When our Heavenly Father created his world, he created his Book of Life, which contained the names he gave to all his children who would live on earth throughout all the ages of time.He also provided a personal book of life for each soul with his or her nameon the cover.Some books were thin, and didn’t have very many pages.Other’s had more pages.He wrote the everyday story of each life , which was known only to him, on each page.He then placed each bookon the shelves of his library until that day whenthe books remaining at the timehe had chosen to judge the life recorded for each after time was no more.
The book of life of those who had not accepted his promise of forgiveness provided by the sacrifice of his son Jesus on the cross were taken off of the shelf when their life was done.These were placed at the judgement seat of God to be opened at the time determined by him.All books of life remaining were to be opened when their faith would be rewarded.No record of any sin they had ever committed could be found , because God had erased all when they accepted the sacrifice of Jesus for them during their life on earth.Their names were then added to the Lord’s book of Life.
As children of your Heavenly Father, your praise and service to him , obeying his commandment tolove the Lord with all your heart and all your mind and your neighbor as yourself, all the days of your life.Some in the world call the service you give “good deeds”. If you are wise, you will recognize these opportunities to bring glory and praise to your Lord as they appear in your life.His promise to youis that all that is done in his name will not be forgotten ,but will rewarded in the Lord’s time, either during your lifetime, or in the eternal life to come.
The books in the Lord’s library are stamped with a due date for return known only to him.It is not possible that they can ever be overdue.So, since you do not know how long you will be ableto praise and serve him, do not waste any of the time you have been givenbefore your book is finishedand due for return to the Lord’s Library.
Letter From An 80 Year Old Woman To Her Children
The following letter was read by Dr. Dobson on the "Focus on the Family" radio broadcast entitled, "Caring for Elderly Parents."
To all my children:
A few years ago, I saw a tee-shirt with the words "Live Long Enough to Be a Burden to Your Children." Back then, I thought it was funny, Today, I don't think it's funny at all, because I am afraid I'm doing just that. None of us want to be a burden to our family, but the older we get, the more we realize that age comes not only to the aging person, but to the family, as well. Both must accept old age and make the necessary adjustments.
Sometimes I wonder how the children of Methuselah felt about their father who lived to be 969 years old. Imagine, at more than 900 years old, did he have all of his faculties at that age? Or was he blind, deaf, and maybe so feeble that he couldn't walk? Did his children worry about whether he was eating right, getting enough exercise and dressing warmly enough? How did he accept his advancing years? These qustions came to mind because, as a parent, I hate having to rely on my children to do things for me that I could do for myself a few years ago.
You children are always so kind and generous about looking after me, but I want to be doing for myself. I long to drive my car again. I want to go alone to the grocery store to shop, and I want to drive myself there. I want...but you get the idea. What I really want is to be 70 again. The truth of it is, that our roles are reversed, and now I am your child needing you in a special way.
I suppose my upcoming birthday started my thoughts along these lines. You never forget my birthday, or any other special day, without a gift. I realize the problems you must have in choosing a gift, because I have what I need in material possessions. This is a good time to tell you that what I truly want are things I can never get enough of, yet they are free. I want the intangibles. I want just a little more of your time, and that's selfish of me, I know, because you have your own children, and grandchildren, who want your time, and also you need time for yourselves. But all I want is just a few unhurried minutes. I would like for you to come and sit with me, and for you to be relaxed. It makes me so nervous when you sit on the edge of your chair and keep looking at your watch. We can talk, or we can be silent. I would just like for us to be together.
You children who live out of town are thoughtful to call me on the phone, but I would like it if you could just write once or twice a month. Then I could look forward to reading and rereading your letters. I don't always hear every word you say on the phone, and a letter or two would help me greatly.
I need your patience when I don't hear what you say the first time, so please don't be annoyed. I know how tiresome it is to always be repeating , but sometimes I must ask you to repeat. Now, you don't need to yell at me, just speak slowly. I need your patience when I think too much about the past. I need your patience with my slowness and my set ways. I want you to be tolerant with what the years have done to me physically.
Please be understanding about my personal care habits. I really can't see when my dress is dirty or the floor needs cleaning. I spill things. I lose things. I get unduly excited when I try to figure out my bank statements. I can't remember what time to take my medication, or if I took it already. I take too many naps, I know, because you have said, "Quit spending all of your time sleeping." Well, sometimes when I sleep in the daytime, it was because I was awake half the night. At other times, sleep helps to pass the day. When I have nothing but time on my hands, a 15-minute nap seems like an hour.
Well, there you have it: time, patience, and understanding. These are the priceless gifts that I want. Over and over again, I take my bible, (thank God that I can still read), and I read what Paul wrote in Philippians 4:11: "I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." But oh, how trying!
I know what it is to be in need, and what it is to have more than enough. I remember how your father and I struggled through the depression, and then how wonderful it was when we finally had a good nest egg, and had saved something for old age. I am thankful I can still care for myself financially (that is, unless I live to be 969!)
Finally, in his letter, Paul wrote, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." I know I can, too! Maybe I can't do all I want to, the way I used to, but how comforting it is to know His eye is on the sparrow and I know He cares for me. I guess being 80 isn't so bad after all! God has blessed me so much.
