Atlanta, Georgia
It would seem that I had only recently become a father and heard the unusual word “dad” for the first time, when suddenly the years flew by and my children, Kevin and Eva, turned 11 and 8 years old, respectively.
I understand that for them in childhood I was a hero and the best dad in the world, and now I need to prepare for their teenage period. We are already discussing various topics before entering this complex and at the same time memorable and exciting period in their lives. I just ask the Lord to give me and my wife Julia wisdom in their further upbringing.
However, it is worth recognizing that there are things that children teach us as well. Christ said: “and said, “Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like little children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself like this little child is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one such little child in My name receives Me.” (Matthew 18:3-5). How they tend to quickly forgive and forget the mistakes of others, but for us, adults, sometimes this is not so easy. So what’s the secret? Simplicity in heart and humbleness.
Nowadays, there are various reasons why we cannot forgive each other or consider someone beneath us. The Prophet Jonah considered the Assyrians who lived in their capital, Nineveh, to be such. Not wishing them to be saved, he fled from the fulfillment of the commission of the Lord. At last, when there was nowhere to go, he said to the Lord: “… O Lord! Is this not what I said while I was still in my own land? This is the reason that I fled before to Tarshish, because I knew that You are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger, abundant in faithfulness, and ready to relent from punishment.” (Jonah 4:2).
Dear friend, looking at others, don’t you judge harshly? No, under no circumstances should we put up with sin and must call each sin by its name, but as long as there is breath in the nostrils of anyone, we have no right to condemn him. On the contrary, we should hope all things, believe all things, endure all things, in which God’s love characterizes itself. We must pray in order to win a soul for Christ. Believing all things does not mean believing a lie, but it is the faith that is unshakable and the one that hopes for the best – where there is a future and hope.
Brother and sister, do not give up, pray for your children and be an example of living faith, not tradition, but one that flows in living rivers, spiritually reviving everything around and flowing to where the Savior awaits us.
God bless you!
In Christ,
Max Volkov
