how can we possibly be cynical when we are around children?

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. – Romans 8:37-39

Rebekah and I always enjoy visits from our marvelous grandchildren, David and Beks. They are here with us in Wake Forest this weekend and we’re already both exhausted and overflowing with joy.

Rebekah – are you surprised? – is always “full-contact.” She especially enjoys arts and crafts projects and of course the children’s perennial favorite, making bread. We honestly believe they are just about ready to prepare biscuits – from scratch – with no help at all.

So the kitchen becomes a cloud of flour, and the dough gets pretty much everywhere, and vast quantities end up on the floor. But they measure and they mix and they knead and they roll out beautifully and the biscuits turn out close to perfection.

Life can be a real challenge, fraught with difficulty and seldom without obstacles at every turn. Children provide the most compelling motivation to keep on track and to live lives of active faith that engage the ultimate resource we have, the love and guidance of God.

How can we possibly be cynical when we are around children? How can we possibly live in any way other than in the light and power of love? How can we possibly believe anything other than the best, both of them and for them?

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. – Romans 8:37-39