I preached so many sermons on raising children before I ever had children. Somehow, I saw this as an advantage. It reminds me of the preacher who confessed, “Before my wife and I had kids I had three theories on child-rearing. Now I have three kids and no theories.” Having kids will humble you for sure!
Cain and Abel were like us. They never knew life in the garden. They lived in the shadow of their parents’ precipitous fall. They were among the first worshipers in history. Abel offered animals, Cain vegetables. More importantly, Abel offered his worship with the right heart. Cain, not so much. The first worship-war resulted in Abel’s death. When God held Cain accountable for his brother’s life, Cain felt the punishment too steep.
Adam and Eve lost both of their boys. But God gave them another. The birth of Seth marked the first time people began to call on Yahweh, the Lord. The third son led Adam, Eve, and others to pray. Having kids will force you to your knees. I never prayed so fervently in my life as I have for our kids. The Les Miserables song always spoke to me as Jean Valjean’s character sang about Marius, “Bring him home.” We could pray that for our kids and the kids of others today. “Bring them home.” We could pray it for ourselves as well. Today we could call upon the name of the Lord and ask him to draw us close to himself. Wouldn’t he answer? He will!
