MY BOYS AND I WERE PRAYING . . .
at bedtime, one night a few years ago, when the words which were fed by my brain to my mouth stopped me short. I had uttered, "Lord, please treat my boys as Your own."

Though I tried to maintain my composure and continue the prayer, my mind was momentarily distracted by a blur of images of the Son of God — beaten, suffering, spat upon, bloody, hanging on Calvary. Dare I pray, "Lord, please treat my boys as Your own"?

It took me a few thoughtful moments to recover, but my conclusion was, "Indeed, I shall!" It's not, of course, that I desire any pain or discomfort for Bart and Will. They are most precious to me! But, besides the torture of a crucifixion, there are two other factors in this equation which change it completely.

First, the Cross was not the final episode in the life of Jesus of Nazareth. After the victory demonstrated at the resurrection, He ascended to glory where He is now seated at the right hand of the Heavenly Father. That IS the kind of treatment I desire for my boys! Our God holds out the promise that if we belong to Him, we shall eventually be glorified and reign with the Lord Jesus. I desperately want that for my sons. Thus I often pray in their presence and hearing, "Lord, please help my boys to love You more than anything!"

And when I plead that Bart and Will might be treated like God dealt with His own unique Son, Jesus, I have hope that they might one day share the glory that Christ now enjoys.

But there's another element to be considered as well. Nothing — not a single thing — entered the life of Jesus unless it came by the permission of the Father. And if it came with the Father's permission, it was a part of the plan to accomplish His purpose.

On more than one occasion we read that the Jews intended to harm Jesus, but they could not, "for His time had not yet come." And when the time had come, there was not a thing that Jesus endured which failed to contribute to God's redemptive purpose. It was all for our good and His glory.

As painful as the thought may be, I earnestly desire to be willing for God to use me, as well as my sons, for His purposes and glory in this world. I can only guess what that may mean — perhaps missionary service in a hostile environment or a life of hardship and poverty because of persecution. I don't relish the idea of those whom I love so much having to face great difficulties and pain. But I would delight in the treasures which they might store up in heaven through faithful service to their Lord.

"Father, please, according to Your everlasting wisdom and unfailing mercy, treat my boys as Your own. May they be Your instruments of redemption, courageously enduring whatever You dictate while here on earth, in order to draw others to You. And may they eventually find all the riches of Your grace and peace in the glory of Your presence.

"Amen."

And that is my prayer for us as well,
Richard