This was a devotional I wrote with my Grandpa Moir. He wrote this poem and I wrote the devotional. Reading the first line of the poem, can you just imagine what kind of home he grew up in? Joyful, loving, busy and best of all they were together as a family.
Thirteen children plus our folks
Getting together, enjoying jokes.
One by one they commenced to leave
They left so fast, I can hardly believe.
Only three of us left from the family tree
Just awaiting the day when we’ll be free.
We’ve all enjoyed that family from the start
But now we see that old tree falling apart.
God has been good, as good as can be
Allowing us each a place in that old tree.
“Will The Circle Be Unbroken?”
The words of this song were often spoken.
Today we join with voices ringing
“Don’t You Hear The Angels Singing?”
Soon, yes soon we’ll all be gathered in
With no more sorrow and no more sin.
“One by one we’ll gain the portals
There to dwell with the immortals.”
Oh, what a sweet refrain
As we remember we’ll meet again.
Death comes with fearful warning
Will you meet us there on that glad morning.
My grandfather grew up on a ranch out west. His parents had 13 children and one by one each one received Christ as their Savior. They lived for the Lord and my grandfather became a preacher and carried the gospel all over the west, starting Sunday Schools and ministering to children. I wish I could have known him back then but his memory lives on and his testimony is far-reaching.
This led him to raise my mom as a godly woman and she in turn raised me. I am doing my best with a godly husband and help from my Lord to raise my children to be godly, productive children of God here on this earth. What are some blessings they have?
My Children Are Well Fed
If you come for a visit to our house you will see that none of us lack for food. Even back in the day when our paycheck was smaller, we never missed a meal or felt hunger except by choice. Our Heavenly Father has always provided for us and I’m grateful for a husband who is a hard worker and has always provided well for us. What did God promise? The Psalmist had this to say in Psalm 37:25, “I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.” As the song says, “My Heavenly Father watches over me.”
My Children Have A Good Home
We have often been asked if we are a military family because we have moved a lot in our lives. We were married more than 29 years ago in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Since then we have moved many many times. I’ve always made it an adventure for the kids and over the years I have often said to them, “bloom where you are planted.”
There is a good Scripture verse on this one. In Philippians 4:11 we can read, “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” We also know that God wouldn’t leave us without shelter. Remember Jonah? After he repented and went to Nineveh he ended up outside the city pouting. God gave him shelter. Jonah 4:6 shows us this, “And the Lord God prepared a gourd, and made it to come up over Jonah, that it might be a shadow over his head, to deliver him from his grief. So Jonah was exceeding glad of the gourd.”
My Children Are Well Dressed
I Timothy 6:8 tells us, “And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.” We have talked about food but we are also well-clothed. I’m so glad that my kids have a father that takes care of them in this area, too. We love to be modest and distinct. Their dad makes sure they have enough money to get the clothes they need so they can always look their best. I’m glad he does this. Our girls get compliments at work all the time and our boys never have questioned us about dressing their best for church. We can be content that we have clothes to cover us.
My Children Are Spiritually Minded
Last but certainly not the least; my children have the privilege of being spiritually minded. Why is this? They have been taken to church since birth and taught at home through daily family devotions, personal Bible reading and school curriculum on how to live godly lives that glorify God. Their father and I desire with all our hearts to love and glorify God as we serve Him.
We have also tried to instill this into the lives of our children, as well. The work is paying off as we have seen two children leave home but still continue to serve God, go to church and grow spiritually. God is good and His promises are a comfort. Proverbs 22:6 tells us, “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”