There’s a lot of hate in the world – we all know that – and a lot of mistrust, and a lot of pain. And sometimes it becomes easier, or less taxing, or simply more convenient for us to say things such as: “This is a result of hundreds of years of conflict, and abuse, and injustice, and deeply entrenched cultural values. All these factors play a part, so there’s really nothing we can do to change anything.”

I hear that. I follow the rationale. I “get” the idea. But then I hop in my little SUV with Rebekah, and I motor up to Richmond, and I spend a day with my grandchildren and all of a sudden I have more questions. Not just questions, but answers too…

Do. Love. Walk:

You see – just look at this face – Beks came into this world wide open. Wide open to love; wide open to experience joy; wide open to learn; wide open to be exposed to trust, goodness, kindness, and faith. She is also vulnerable, completely dependent on her parents. So Beks – like every other newborn baby – arrived for her life equally wide open to be neglected, abused, resented, or pushed away.

My grandchildren’s parents have chosen – and it is always a choice – to raise Beks and her brother David to be children of light.

David – and I think you can detect some of his sweetness and joy from the next photograph – was born in October of 2011. He is almost three years into his emerging life, and he is learning so, so much. He has already learned joy, and trust, and tenderness. He has learned to say “please” and “thank you”. He knows how important it is to encourage others (he said, “Great prayer, grandaddy!” after I said the blessing).

David and Beks are both learning to experience Planet Earth from the vantage point of grace, love, security, trust, and kindness. What my grandchildren are learning is not merely shaping their view of the world, it IS their view of the world.

What I’m saying – albeit clumsily – is that each child born on this Good Earth is loaded with limitless potential, and that each new being can become one more bright splash of light in this broken world… if only we show them the way.

HOPE & PROMISE: There is no foregone conclusion for any child – not unless the rest of us allow ourselves to lose sight of Hope and fail to live into the truth of Promise.

It’s too easy to turn our backs on the dark places, shrug our shoulders, and say, “There but for the grace of God go I.” When – instead – the response God is looking for goes more like this: “Here I go, walking into the darkness and making a difference, because of the grace of God!”

Harry Emerson Fosdick’s great hymn (God of Grace and God of Glory, 1930), concludes with the following stanza:

Save us from weak resignation,
To the evils we deplore.
Let the search for Thy salvation,
Be our glory evermore.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
Serving Thee Whom we adore,
Serving Thee Whom we adore.

BELIEF: I believe that every new candle that is lit has the potential to stamp out the entire darkness. When I look at my grandchildren, I see nothing but promise.

God sent Jesus to demonstrate that we will never eradicate evil by the sword. Instead, the Son of Man made this startling declaration, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” – John 8:12

Later, in the letter to the Ephesians, Paul put it this way, “For once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light. Live as children of light— for the fruit of the light is found in all that is good and right and true.” Ephesians 5:8-9

I believe that every new candle that is lit has the potential to stamp out the entire darkness. When I look at my grandchildren, I see nothing but promise.

Words of promise and hope – DEREK