“Is Ella coming outside?” Thomas asked as we emptied the new bag of sand into the sandbox. The tears welling up in my eyes as I replied surprised me. “Not today, buddy.” Jake was already loping around the yard, sniffing at spots where Ella rested the day before. The last six months have been difficult ones, seeing her decline, unable to stand without assistance. She was our girl for six years. Now she’s at rest.
Children ask questions innocently, and we are wise to only answer what they ask. The time will come when they’re faced with shouldering the knowledge of good and evil in the world, but part of stewarding their childhood well is sheltering them from evil at every opportunity. Jesus taught us to pray, asking Him to “rescue us from the evil one.” (Matthew 6:13) He offers His shelter and ultimate deliverance from evil, and it grieves His heart when we refuse Him.
”“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones God’s messengers!
How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let me.“
Matthew 23:37 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/mat.23.37.NLT
Most modern translations read, “you were unwilling.” The volume of synonyms for this English word ranges from not in the mood to loath.
Unwilling says I can but I won’t, I could but I choose not to. This sort of resistance should be reserved for one enemy.
”Do you think the Scriptures have no meaning? They say that God is passionate that the spirit he has placed within us should be faithful to him.
And he gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” So humble yourselves before God.
Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.“
James 4:5-7 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/jas.4.5-7.NLT
Having small grandchildren has caused me to become more adept at putting into words the things of the Spirit life. Thomas’s favorite word of late is why? He wants the why for everything and an answer for every why! When words like stewardship come up in conversation, he wants to understand so I put it into his terms. Everything belongs to God and He’s letting us use it all, so we take care of ourselves, other people, and things like we know they belong to God.
What has God given you to steward? Since creation, we have been charged with caring for the earth and the animals. (Genesis 2:15) Cain’s response after killing his brother, “am I my brother’s keeper?” rhetorically screams yes! (Genesis 4:9) We are charged with relaying God’s message of reconciliation to the next generation and to the ends of the earth. (Joel 1:3, Psalm 71:18, John 17:20, Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:15) No one and nothing is excluded from this charge.
”God will never be mocked!
For what you plant will always be the very thing you harvest. The harvest you reap reveals the seed that you planted.
If you plant the corrupt seeds of self-life into this natural realm, you can expect a harvest of corruption.
If you plant the good seeds of Spirit-life you will reap beautiful fruits that grow from the everlasting life of the Spirit.
And don’t allow yourselves to be weary in planting good seeds, for the season of reaping the wonderful harvest you’ve planted is coming!
Take advantage of every opportunity to be a blessing to others, especially to our brothers and sisters in the family of faith!“
Galatians 6:7-10 TPT
https://bible.com/bible/1849/gal.6.7-10.TPT
Our pets enrich our lives and offer unwavering devotion for which we are grateful. In gratitude to God, we care for them. That’s stewardship.
”You can buy two sparrows for only a copper coin, yet not even one sparrow falls from its nest without the knowledge of your Father.
Aren’t you worth much more to God than many sparrows?
So don’t worry. For your Father cares deeply about even the smallest detail of your life.“
Matthew 10:29-31 TPT
https://bible.com/bible/1849/mat.10.29-31.TPT
”“What I’m trying to do here is get you to relax, not be so preoccupied with getting so you can respond to God’s giving.
People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works.
Steep yourself in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.
Don’t be afraid of missing out. You’re my dearest friends!
The Father wants to give you the very kingdom itself.“
Luke 12:29-32 MSG
https://bible.com/bible/97/luk.12.29-32.MSG
”We’ve heard true stories from our fathers about our rich heritage.
We will continue to tell our children and not hide from the rising generation the great marvels of our God— his miracles and power that have brought us all this far.
The story of Israel is a lesson in God’s ways. He established decrees for Jacob and established the law in Israel, and he commanded our forefathers to teach them to their children.
For perpetuity God’s ways will be passed down from one generation to the next, even to those not yet born.
In this way, every generation will set its hope in God and not forget his wonderful works but keep his commandments.“
Psalms 78:3-7 TPT
https://bible.com/bible/1849/psa.78.3-7.TPT
Stewarding souls is our highest and best calling. May we be willing stewards.
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