I grew up in a loving home with Christian parents and Christian siblings (an older brother and sister). My dad felt God's call on his life to become a pastor before I even started school so I have been a preacher's kid for practically all of my life. Yeah, I'm that kid. The one that got to go on the youth group snow skiing trip before I was in the youth group because I got to tag along with my pastor/dad. I have heard a lot of stories of preacher's kids (pk's) who are bitter about their experiences; the perceived constant scrutiny from church members, the lack of privacy, having to share their dad with hundreds of other people, missing out on family vacations because someone's aunt so-and-so died, etc. Those are real experiences, but I consider it a privilege to have the example of a godly dad who gave himself to minister to others as their pastor. The blessings of being a pk far outweigh the challenges in my opinion.
When I was around five years old, my nine-year-old sister read me a story. Now, in and of itself that is not noteworthy since Paige always took her role as "default school teacher to stupid younger brother" seriously. Mom says that she often pretended to be my teacher. What is special about this particular story though is that God used that story, read to me by my big sister, to bring me to salvation. I am sure that I had heard the gospel before, since I had always gone to church with my family. But God used a nine-year old girl as His tool to introduce a five-year old boy to Himself. The Spirit of God spoke through the mouth of a little girl into my heart. I am reminded of the following passage:
When I was around five years old, my nine-year-old sister read me a story. Now, in and of itself that is not noteworthy since Paige always took her role as "default school teacher to stupid younger brother" seriously. Mom says that she often pretended to be my teacher. What is special about this particular story though is that God used that story, read to me by my big sister, to bring me to salvation. I am sure that I had heard the gospel before, since I had always gone to church with my family. But God used a nine-year old girl as His tool to introduce a five-year old boy to Himself. The Spirit of God spoke through the mouth of a little girl into my heart. I am reminded of the following passage:
Brothers, consider your calling: Not many are wise from a human perspective, not many powerful, not many of noble birth. Instead, God has chosen what is foolish in the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen what is weak in the world to shame the strong. God has chosen what is insignificant and despised in the world- what is viewed as nothing- to bring to nothing what is viewed as something, so that no one can boast in His presence. But it is from Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became God-given wisdom for us- our righteousness, sanctification, and redemption, in order that, as it is written: The one who boasts must boast in the Lord. -1 Corinthians 1:26-31 (HCSB)On that particular day neither Paige nor I knew what God was about to do. She was simply reading a story to her little brother and I was simply listening as usual. But God had other plans. Thank God for big sisters and thank Him for condescending to meet me there in that bedroom and choosing to make me His own through the words of a simple story. God used those words to awaken my understanding of my guilt because of sin and my need for a savior. Moments after Paige had finished reading to me, my parents guided me into a more full understanding of the forgiveness of sins and salvation available to me through the death of Jesus Christ. That day I trusted Him as my Savior.
It is through Him that Darrel is in Christ Jesus, who became God-given wisdom for him- his righteousness, sanctification, and redemption!Amen!