The One Who Doesn't Forget and Embarrassment Countdown (3)
In the embarrassment countdown series I started last week, which I'm going to shorten to four instead of five (not because I'm trying to spare my ego, but because other topics press in), I'd have to list as one of my more embarrassing moments one that I've actually had a few times. I refer to the times--yes there have been more than one--when I have forgotten my children, and left them behind.
As a parent, this is almost as embarrassing, not to say horrifying, as it gets. But what can I say. There was the time Gayline and I left a meeting at church and drove all the way home (at the time a ten mile drive) before we remembered that we'd left Alina in child care. Try to explain that as a pastor to a child care worker! And there was the time I left Elliot behind at a basketball game I was coaching for his older brother. There were other times too, but I'd like to suppress at least some of this if you don't mind.
My children seem to have survived these episodes without permanent psychological damage, but I'm not sure I have! Man, such moments are humbling and guilt producing!
O to grace (God's and my kids') how great a debtor!
Aren't you glad God doesn't forget His children. Here's what He doesn't forget:
1. His covenant promises (Genesis 9:15, 16; Exodus 6:5; Titus 1:2).
2. His children's whereabouts (Psalm 139:1-18) and perils (Numbers 10:9).
3. His Son's work in our behalf (this is what the Bible doctrine of the intercession of Christ as our Mediator is all about; Christ's presence before the Father reminds the Father of the sacrifice He offered for our sins).
4. His children's deeds of service (Hebrews 6:10; "overlook" is translated "forget" in another translation; Nehemiah 13:14, 22, 31).
5. His children's needs (Matthew 6:31, 32).
6. His children's frailty (Psalm 103:14).
7. His mercy and love (Psalm 25:6).
O I should mention that there is one thing that God does forget: our sins (Jeremiah 31:33, 34; Hebrews 8:12; 10:17; Psalm 25:7; Isaiah 64:9). God simply refuses to hold our sins against us. He treats us as if we've never sinned.
But everything else is on His mind all the time, for our good. So the next tme you forget your kid somewhere (if you ever could do such a horrifying thing!), or simply forget something else that your children need, pause and say a huge thank you to the Father who never forgets.
And love Him all the more.
As a parent, this is almost as embarrassing, not to say horrifying, as it gets. But what can I say. There was the time Gayline and I left a meeting at church and drove all the way home (at the time a ten mile drive) before we remembered that we'd left Alina in child care. Try to explain that as a pastor to a child care worker! And there was the time I left Elliot behind at a basketball game I was coaching for his older brother. There were other times too, but I'd like to suppress at least some of this if you don't mind.
My children seem to have survived these episodes without permanent psychological damage, but I'm not sure I have! Man, such moments are humbling and guilt producing!
O to grace (God's and my kids') how great a debtor!
Aren't you glad God doesn't forget His children. Here's what He doesn't forget:
1. His covenant promises (Genesis 9:15, 16; Exodus 6:5; Titus 1:2).
2. His children's whereabouts (Psalm 139:1-18) and perils (Numbers 10:9).
3. His Son's work in our behalf (this is what the Bible doctrine of the intercession of Christ as our Mediator is all about; Christ's presence before the Father reminds the Father of the sacrifice He offered for our sins).
4. His children's deeds of service (Hebrews 6:10; "overlook" is translated "forget" in another translation; Nehemiah 13:14, 22, 31).
5. His children's needs (Matthew 6:31, 32).
6. His children's frailty (Psalm 103:14).
7. His mercy and love (Psalm 25:6).
O I should mention that there is one thing that God does forget: our sins (Jeremiah 31:33, 34; Hebrews 8:12; 10:17; Psalm 25:7; Isaiah 64:9). God simply refuses to hold our sins against us. He treats us as if we've never sinned.
But everything else is on His mind all the time, for our good. So the next tme you forget your kid somewhere (if you ever could do such a horrifying thing!), or simply forget something else that your children need, pause and say a huge thank you to the Father who never forgets.
And love Him all the more.
Labels: God's Love
posted by Tim Shorey at
8:33 AM
3 Comments:
Hon, Wouldn't you think we'd have learned parental responsibilities by #6? Someday maybe you can post about his forgiveness towards you (us) at age 5 for that Founders Day fiasco. Isn't it good that God isn't the only one who forgives?
You would have to bring that one up to tease other's curiosity...
Now I'll have to un-suppress that one, that is if anybody picks up on it and wants to know.
of course we picked up on it. and, yes, now we want to know!
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