Dear Ones,
Hope you had a great weekend. Emoji We got more snow and now it truly looks like winter. I plan to do food prep and go to Ald’s and Exercise class this morning and then walk in the snow this afternoon.
Devotions from Judy’s heart
When we have good news, the first thing we want to do is share it with others, especially those we are close to and love. So, when we know Jesus, don’t we naturally want our family to experience the joy that we have found and do it in a way that doesn’t turn them off but gives them a desire to know Him for themselves. As a pastor’s family our kids did the usual of going to Sunday school and Church, confirmation and youth group but we also had devotions together, memorized scripture etc. (grandma even gave them $ for each verse they learned and a whole chapter was worth a lot!) We told them they were an example to others, not the only example in their youth group but simply one. Of course, as parents we prayed a lot especially during those teen years and shared that they would have to make their own decision about following the Lord. Gratefully, they all chose to love and serve Him, but they had to make the choice.

Just the other day, I got an e-mail from friends of our former congregation and they shared how they presented Jesus to their kids and grandkids this past Christmas. They wrote that Christmas was great as they have 3 grown boys with families so lots with the grandkids that all came together to celebrate. But how they did it was fun for all and very meaningful. They all gathered at one of the boy’s homes, and did a version of the nativity, acted out by everyone dressed up like angels, wisemen, shepherds, and of course Mary and Joseph and the baby. One couple came down the long driveway dressed as Mary and Joseph; Mary was riding on a horse, and they all sang praises as they went into the barn. The father read the Christmas story and as they gathered around the manger, he prayed for each one of them to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit to live inside them and to guide them on their journey. I suspect those grandkids won’t forget the real meaning of Christmas this year and hopefully never!

Maybe we should all ask ourselves the question of how we can share Jesus with our loved ones and all those around us in a way that causes them to ask questions, and desire to know Him without feeling coerced. We may start by asking the Lord to help us be creative, lead us to the right books that we can read to them, model Jesus in our lives, have them help in a project serving others, go to camp or a retreat together etc. Let us not be hesitant to share Jesus and as it says in Rom. 1:16. “I’m not ashamed of the Good News. It is God’s power to save everyone who believes…”

Challenge for today: Share Jesus every chance you get, but don’t forget about your family too.
Blessings on your week and prayers and love, Judy