The conversation in my car yesterday went like this:

“Grammy,” asked five year old Fisher, “can we go and buy a new toy?”

“No, Fisher.  There are only ten more days until Christmas and then you will receive lot of new toys.”

“What kind of toys, Grammy?”

“Oh, I can’t tell you - you will have to wait and see!”

“Is there one from you and Granddaddy?”

“Most certainly.”

“What is it?”

“Can’t tell you, Fisher.”

“But, Grammy, can’t we just go buy one toy right now?”

“No, sweetie.”

As we drove along I silently asked of the Lord.  “How can I help him, Lord, at this young age to curb his desire for things and to develop a ‘character free from the love of money (or things).’ I want to be able to teach him to content with all that he has.”

Today, as I read Hebrews 13, the Lord answered my question.  “Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you…” (Hebrews 13:7)  That was easy. I thought of Mrs. Huff, my 2nd grade Sunday School teacher, and of Syndey Portis who was my mentor through high school and college. My godly grandparents, married for sixty three years, taught me to honor marriage.  Loving others, showing hospitality, visiting the sick and imprisoned, keeping the faith - it had all been modeled before me.

Then I read Hebrews 13:5 in the Kings James version of the Bible.  It reads, “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have.”  In order to teach and lead Fisher and others I must watch my own speech.  How many times do I find myself saying, “Oh, I really need that,” or “I have to go buy one of those.”  How often do I complain about what I have instead of “offering up a sacrifice of praise” for all that is mine?  If ‘little pitchers truly have big ears’,  I must realize that I could be the guilty party and contributing to the discontent or greediness of my little ones.  So tonight when we babysit I will tell Fisher about the goodness of our Lord and the joy I am experiencing this Christmas.  It will be the beginning of a lifelong conversation - one that I hope is “without covetousness and full of contentment.”

This entry was posted on Sunday, December 17th, 2006 at 5:16 am and is filed under Daily Readings. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.