And as adults we have a huge responsibility to be a good role model for the children in our lives. We can so easily change a childs thinking, good or bad, with our words and actions.
But I also believe we, as adults, can learn a lot from children.
This morning at church my little 4-year-old friend Elizabeth was sitting in my lap and a man was singing a song called Give Me Jesus. After several chorus' of Give Me Jesus, Elizabeth had a puzzled look on her face and whispered in my ear, "But Jesus is heavy!" I almost laughed out loud! I guess she thought he was asking someone to literally give him Jesus and place him in his arms. She thought Jesus would be too heavy for him to carry. I'm glad we aren't too heavy for Jesus to carry.
Last weekend my grand daughters, Cassie 15 and Dorothy 12, came to stay the weekend with us. Since they live a long way from us I meet my daughter half way, at a taco place, to pick up the girls. And this time, we went inside the taco place to eat and I locked my keys in my truck! But the Lord was watching out for me and up pulled a firetruck. The fire fighters were coming to get something to eat. They unlocked my truck for me. From there we went to Wal-Mart and I was hoping for a close parking spot. I said, "I need a good parking spot, I'm tired." And what do you know! A car pulled out of a real good spot! Next we headed home and I was complaining about catching every red light. My 12 year old grand daughter said, " MiMi, just think of all the good things that have happened today."
How quickly I forgot about the blessings I had just received in the last hour! I told her thank you for reminding me.
And children come up with the funniest ideas! Another grand daughter, Emily, that is 10 walked out with me to check the horses water. Our gelding Tuffy was standing there relaxed and as gelding sometimes do, he had let a certain "private part" of his anatomy relax and drop down. Emily saw this and told me that he was "airing it out." I said, "oh really?" And she said yes because the only time horses let it out is when they are airing it out or going to the bathroom. And he isn't going to the bathroom so he must be airing it out.
Now where on earth did she come up with that?! I am going to remind her of that story when she is 18 and brings her boyfriend to meet me.
But children need guidance from us and they need to learn of their heritage from us. If we don't pass it along how will they know?
I am reminded of a ery good poem I heard once. Several years ago I heard a man recite a poem that he had written for his Grandson. With his permission I have used that poem when I perform for children. I have modified to fit my style but I only added two lines. The poem is titled Make A Hand and is the story of a grandfather telling his grandson how to make a good hand. A good hand is cowboy lingo for being a good worker, good at what you do. It has a great message whether you are a child or an adult.
Make A Hand
So a cowboy's what you want to be, and a hand is what you want to make.
Well sit down here little partner, and I'll tell you what it's gonna take.
First, don't ever shirk a duty, and be cheerful in your every task.
And if there's something you don't know, don't be afraid to ask.
Now never give a man your word with an idle breath.
And the only time you ever cheat, is when you're cheating death.
Be proud of what you stand for and the trail you chose to ride.
Be loyal to your calling son, don't ever break your stride.
What's that you say?
You thought we'd talk of hoolihans and how to sit your saddle?
About how to start a colt and how to read the cattle?
Well, you'll learn those things by doing and you'll develop you own way.
But with these things you'll earn respect and that's worth more than pay.
Remember to trust in God through the good times and the tests,
And always work so you can say you have done your best.
Just keep these words I gave you and soon enough you'll understand,
It takes a lot to be a cowboy, but it takes more to make a hand.
By Michael Darden Dowd
