Walking sticks

When I was a kid, living on the Cedar River south of Gilbertville, I loved to be in the woods.  I would often spend time there.  One day while goofing off in the woods I found this cool looking vine that had wrapped itself around a small tree.  I cut the vine out and took a portion of the tree home to make a walking stick.  I was busy working on peeling off the bark when my dad saw what I was doing and decided to help me.  Dad was never a really involved father, he provided the income for the family and handed out discipline, but he didn't spend much time nurturing us kids, so when he got involved in my project it was something special.  He suggested that after we got the bark peeled we should sand down the knots a little so they were smooth and put some lacquer finish on it.  It was a time I will always remember.  I still have that walking stick, its here with me in my office. 

In this day and age the family is taking quite a beating.  Many man and women have corrupted and abused it, some would have us redefine it and some wish the state would take it's place.  But the family is God's foundation for any society.  Without the family cultures cease to exist.  God taught His people about the importance of family, and how it is His tool for teaching the next generation. 

In the book of Deuteronomy God gave the Law to Moses and commanded him to pass it on to his children so that each successive generation would know and worship Him.  (Duet. 6:6-9)  It is a great responsibility for us parents, but revealing God is not the only information we should be passing on to our children and grandchildren.  We should be teaching them about life, relationships, enduring trials, and caring for others.  This can only happen if parents and grandparents are purposeful with their children, spending time with each of them, carefully-and wisely, nurturing them.  It's a sad story, but I was working at a "hunters breakfast" one time, it was sponsored by our men's group, the guys were all there and some brought their sons to help too.  One father, while washing the dishes was using the time to nurture his son.  The problem was he was teaching him to be hateful towards the wealthy, the professional, and the educator.  In his mind, the only "just" people in God's eye were the uneducated, blue collar, common folk.  He was teaching his son to be suspicious and jealous of others.

I tell you this story to illustrate how important our role as parents and grandparents is.  We must be careful-and wise to take time with our children and grandchildren, "training them up in the way that they should go." (Proverbs 22:6)

I'm attending First Wesleyan Church in Charles City now.  Our pastor, Dennis Bachman, is doing a series of messages on "Time." His words inspired this blog.  "We must be careful about how we use the time God has given us."  (Psalm 90:12)  That's so true. 

So here's my sales pitch.  Life is very busy.  It is easy for us to get caught up in the urgent and forget about the important.  What are you doing to enjoy life and share that love of life with your family?  I have a great place for you to slow down a little and "redeem the time" with your children and grand-children.  Bring them to camp!  In fact, we are organizing day camps for June 6-7 and one of them will be "Walking Sticks."  The kids will be able to make their own walking stick and we will go for a hike.  Why not take the day off, or invite your parents to bring your son or daughter to camp for the day.  You only have so much time with your children and grandchildren when they are young.  Why not use it wisely.