I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. – 3 John 1:4

Just the other day a couple of new photographs showed up on Facebook and they just about blew me away. It was our granddaughter, our eleven-year-old granddaughter, our only granddaughter (you know, our little girl…) and she was looking way too grown up and beautiful for my tender grandaddy heart to handle!

She has, apparently, been trying on some of her mother’s clothes. Including the red dress – below – that was from show choir when Naomi was in high school.

Fact is, we don’t have any teenaged grandchildren; and, personally, I am not nearly ready for any of that! Even Beks’ brother David is still only twelve (well, until he’s not and we will talk about that in a couple of weeks).

Too much growing up!

So in light of this onslaught of growing, I have been doing some Bible research on how children are referenced and also what beauty is. And it seems to me that when we bring all these various strands in place God values every detail of creation and does not see one part of this world as more – or less – beautiful than another; with one notable exception, and that is children.

Also, in looking at what it is that our Creator values, it is clear that God puts a premium on truth.

When we put all of that together, we have the idea expressed in this scripture: “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”

Here’s the thing. Sunday, Rebekah preached a powerful message on truth (you can access it at this link – Sunday Sept 29). Then, Tuesday morning, our men’s Bible study listened to the following words from Deuteronomy 6: “Impress this truth (The Shema – Hear O Israel...) on your children; talk about it at home and when you’re out on a walk, last thing at night and first thing in the morning. Frame everything in this truth about God, from your mind to your actions to the literal doorframe of your home and the gate to your everyday life.” (author paraphrase)

Our children, our grandchildren, walking in the truth. And how does that happen? Well it is simple, really, and it was outlined as far back as Deuteronomy, when the Children of Israel were trying to understand and to live into their new identity as God’s people.

• Know that the Lord our God is one.
• Love God with all your heart, soul and strength. Later, Jesus added “mind”.
• Teach this to your children.
• Talk about it all the time.
• Frame everything – from your mind to your actions – in the context of this great love for God.
• Make this great love for God the focus of entering your home and going out into the world.

This is how we walk in the truth and how we help our children and our grandchildren (our stunningly beautiful grandchildren) to walk in the truth.

“Frame everything in this truth about God…”

Nuff said. Let’s do it. In the amazing powerful love of God and because of the healing invitational love of Jesus – DEREK