Each fall as the first freeze approaches, I get a little remorseful when I observe the tiny, exposed yellow tomato blossoms. The inevitable awaits the helpless, miniature, lily-shaped blooms. The green tomatoes can be picked and stored safely for further ripening. Yet there is no way to preserve the miniscule, golden flowers from the harsh cold’s destruction to their tender state. They will never become luscious, red, ripe tomatoes.
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| Late Evening Photo of Late October Tomato Blossoms |
As I watered the tomato plants
late one evening, I snapped the photo embedded in this blog post. Children of
the 21st century entered my conscious thought. How defenseless are
the children in our communities! Families have negated the mandate from our
Creator and God of might and power. I have never applied this verse to the
protectiveness of children, but the pertinence of its relevancy overwhelms me.
Apostle Paul wrote it to the young pastor, Timothy in his first letter to him,
in chapter 5, verse 8.
But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and
especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse
than an unbeliever.
I find abhorrent a negligent
parent, unwilling to sacrifice for a helpless child. A selfish, obstinate
parent who seeks his own pleasures and desires at the risk of denying his child
food and clothing fits the example mentioned above in Paul’s writings.
Stories have been told of men
who didn’t get all the nourishment they needed so their children could have a share
of the meagerness of the Great Depression. I have related in prior postings of
my paternal grandmother who set aside her talent and love for the arts,
especially music and sketching. Grandma Gates had a greater calling to feed,
cloth, and nurture her nine children to be responsible, respectable adults. She would have relinquished her giftedness to have seen the three sons whom she and Grandpa buried before any of them reached adulthood grow into strong, handsome young men.
As despicable as an adult averse
to willingly renounce personal interests to provide basic needs of his
child, I find more disheartening how many parents are unwilling to guard their
children’s hearts by purposefully leading them from infancy through adulthood
to understand their Creator and Savior. Instead as the little saffron-hued,
delicate blooms face the harsh cold and imminent death before they realize
their potential of developing into a gorgeous, tasty tomato, the disregarded
child whose spiritual health is neglected will likely confront decision-making in
life ill-prepared and sadly be on course for disastrous effects.
When the
angel, Gabriel, told Zechariah of the upcoming birth of their son, John, who
would later be dubbed “John the Baptist” this prediction was given about their much-desired
son’s preaching ministry –
And he (John the Baptist) will go on before the Lord in the spirit
and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and
the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous – to make ready a people
prepared for the Lord (Jesus first coming to earth). Luke
1:17
Lord, turn the
hearts of the fathers of our American children back to the children. May they obediently
instruct their precious offspring in the wisdom of Your Word and prepare them
for living a life pleasing to the Lord and for the return of Christ. Use each of us in whatever way you see fit to accomplish Your will in our young families of today.
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