Embracing The Moment

I come to you as a follower of Christ, a husband, a father, and a grandfather.  Realizing that God is using me in these responsibilities. They all intertwine.  The key verse that I like to use is Ephesians 5:15-16 ESV, “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.” I want challenge you to “Embrace the Moment”.   We each have 24 hours a day, 1,440 minutes, and 86,400 seconds per day.  Are we making the most of them as a follower of Christ, spouse, parent, and some of us grandparents?

Are we taking the time early in the morning before everyone else arises to plug into our 220 power? What is our 220 power? It comes from Gal. 2:20. It is laying down my desires for the day and asking that the Lord guide me throughout the day, to be open to His teaching, His divine appointments, and be an encourager though the day.  In other words, as a spouse, parent, Grandparent, and employee, “Lord work through me.”  But we have a problem!  We still battle the old man in our lives which comes out at times in our thinking, talk, and actions.  We need to daily focus on the Lord and ask Him to use us this day, and then look for the opportunity to Embrace the Moment.

These moments could be to be an encouragement to your spouse, listening to them and then praying with them. Saying encouraging words.  Eloise, my wife of 48 years, told me that I was being negative this morning.  So, I changed my attitude.  Listening to your wife is a great way to show her that you love her.  God gave us men two ears to listen.  It was in 1997 at the Promise Keepers gathering at Arrowhead Stadium that Gary Smalley of “Family Life Today” challenged the 75,000 men there to listen to their wives, James 1:19.

We are to embrace the moments of teaching our children.  Eph 6:4 “And you, Fathers do not provoke your children to wrath but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord” Pro. 22:6 “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it” Pray at meals. Pray before ballgames. Pray at night with them. Look for opportunities to teach Christian character. Talk about your salvation experience, how important it is to you and desiring them to experience it. Give back change when the cashier gives you too much.   Show love and acceptance to your children when they make life altering decisions.

When you become a grandparent, your spiritual responsibilities expand.   Pro 17:6 says, “Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.”   I have often said my ten grandchildren take my time and my money.  But I gladly give it!!! I look for opportunities for input to teach about Christian principals.

So Today, Embrace the moment.    

-Ken Hawkins
Senior Adult Pastor