In the Father’s Hands

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“But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.” – Acts 7:55

Where a man belongs is up early and alone with God seeking vision and direction for his family.
—John Piper
  
 

 The crowd was thick and the people were not moving. There was a commotion in the streets as the horses drew near to the scene. I saw a women pushing her way to the front of the crowd and then I heard screaming. Being the youngest in our family I was small enough to move through the adults that were standing around. I became separated from my father's hand, but my curiosity drove me to press forward. As I came upon an opening, I caught a glimpse of the scene. The woman was kneeling in the middle of this crowd, holding a teenage boy to her chest. There were four policemen standing behind her, next to their horses. People were talking and giving different stories of what had happened when a hush fell over the crowd.

  Then the crowd began to part. A large towering man was walking toward the scene and I heard one of the policeman say to another, "Who's that?" His partner responded, "It's the dad". As the man came upon the woman and boy, he did not say a word. He knealt down, tears upone his face, put one hand under the boys knees and the other under his shoulders. Standing up again, he turned and began walking away. The boy's voice was quiet but audible non the less, "I knew you would come Daddy. It hurts so bad." The father's voice cracked as he looked into the blood stained face of his son, "I've got you now, it's going to be okay."

  As they walked away, a policeman grabbed his arm. "Sir, you can't take him. We have to fill out the reports, please - just wait for the ambulance" A stern look from a furrowed brow answered the officer without any words being used. With that the man turned with his son in his arms and walked back up the hill to the hospital entrance, where he demanded that his son be treated, regardless of his color. You see in 1956 a person of color couldn't just walk into a hospital and receive treatment. Regardless of the intent of the policemen to place blame on the boy or on the boy's who had drug him behind their truck; this father was going to ensure his son was taken care of.

  As father's we are chartered with the job of leading our families in a way that demonstrates the love of God in a way that clearly establishes a foundation that will last. We look to our fathers for loving discipline to teach us right from wrong; for ethical guidance to carry on a legacy from generation to generation; for leadership in decision making to frame our independence and for strength to make it through the struggles we will face in life. A father brings vision to a family and when led by God's wisdom and courage will ensure that his children experience the love, peace and enduring grace of the Savior.


 

 

 

© Sondove Enterprises, 2019
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Who Turned Out the Light

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 “but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.” – 1 John 1:7

As the door opens, your hand moves to the familiar place on the wall to flip the switch “on”, your eyes take in the sheer and utter darkness.  Deep blackness consumes your arm as your pupils expand to seek out a glimmer of light in the small area.  Flipping the switch does nothing and the light from the hallway illuminates only a small path into the room.  You step into the darkness, your hands are stretched out in front of you as you try to recall the obstacles that might be in your way, as you gingerly take another step.  In the small swath of light from the hallway your pupils begin to take in shapes and forms in the darkness as your quest for the object continues.  Your foot kicks something and moving it to another spot it lands on something pointed causing you to more your foot once again and gently place it on the floor next to a box, barely visible.  Slowly you make your way into the room, small step by small step, trying to remember your pathway so you can exit along the same path.  Finding the object finally, you turn to face the open door and the light from the hallway.  Your eyes adjust to the fading light, but there is a sense of relief as the path to the door is visible when looking back toward the light.  You take a few steps over and around a few obstacles and you are back at the door, with prize in hand.  You make a mental note to change the lightbulb in the store-room before someone gets hurt.

You’ve all been there at one point in your life.  Having to walk in the darkness because a light bulb was burned out or for one reason or another you could not turn the light on at that moment.  Perhaps in the middle of the night, you couldn’t turn on the light because it might awaken others.  I’ve personally been there many times as I get up a few hours before anyone else in the house and often find myself walking through the hallways and rooms with my hands extended, feeling my way rather than seeing my way.  Countless times my feet have landed upon a small toy or kicked the leg of a chair or tripped over something in the dark of the night.  It’s amazing how the smallest amount of light can change an environment from a danger zone into a simple walk through the house.

Life is no different.  We wake each morning and venture into a day that is going to be filled with darkness, evil and unrighteousness.  As much as we feel confident in knowing what is coming our way, there is no way to fully understand everything that lies in your path today.  Circumstances way beyond your control will come into play and present obstacles for your walk that seem impossible to overcome, as you see them.  Introducing the light of the world into your day though will create a clarity, strength and confidence to take on these problems that appear.  You walk through the day with courage and wisdom that is far beyond your own capabilities when you have started the day with Jesus by your side.  There is a saying from Albert Einstein that goes something like this, “There is no such thing as darkness, there is only the absence of light”

Think about that for a moment.  What would this world be like without the sun, the moon, the stars or electricity?  If you have a moment to go into an inner room in your home without windows or any external access, go in shut the door and turn the light off, and make sure the light outside of the room is off as well (so it isn’t visible under the door).  Close your eyes, count to 100 and now walk across this room.  You’ll soon realize what complete darkness is.  This is the world without light.  God sent His Son, Jesus, to be the light of the world, so that regardless of your surroundings you would not be blind in the darkness.  Whatever you are struggling with today, whatever sin or temptation darkens your spirit, Jesus can overcome it.  You just need to reach out your hand and call upon His name.  He will guide you to safety.

             

© Sondove Enterprises, 2012
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