To Shepherd a Heart

I accepted Christ as my Savior when I was 17 at a youth camp. It would be 13 years later before that “seed” would actually begin to grow. When I was 30, God sent a pastor to “awaken” that seed; in essence, it had been laying dormant. Our three older children were young at the time and we lived on a farm in Wolf Lake, In. They attended Vacation Bible School at a neighboring church and the closing program was on a Sunday night. We were unable to be at the program, so a few days later, the pastor of the church stopped by to give each of the kids a Bible as a blessing for coming. That started a series of visits that lasted for several months. The pastor was our age, very personable, and a man who loved God. He kept coming until he was sure our hearts were secure with the Lord. He lovingly, but persistently kept bringing us the love of God and it paid off! In over 30 years, there has never been a question in either Joe or I of our salvation. It is a sure thing for us.

This reminds me of what it is like to be a parent. The word says in Psalm 139 that we are fearfully and wonderfully made. It also says in Ephesians 1:4 that we were in Christ from the foundation of the world. There is a time when our children need to accept Christ; that is being born again. But there are also many things in a child’s heart that need to be “awakened.” Recently our 25^th grandchild was born; His name is Jesse. God spoke some things to me about this baby that stirred my heart. He showed me that Jesse was IN HIM from the beginning, but that this was his time to be born in the earth and his spirit knew it. His parents and siblings know it too and they minister to this little one. They speak love and comfort to him and let him know how glad they are that he is here. They are “awakening” the life of God in him.

However, babies grow and they enter the two’s, the three’s, the twelve’s, the sixteen’s, etc. As parents we need to keep giving the love of God to them and making sure their hearts are secure with the Lord. Like our pastor friend was with us, we need to be persistently loving! Love never fails; nothing can stand up against it. Many times as parents our flesh had its way. When we missed it, we turned on the love faucet. We shepherded their heart! Many Sunday evenings when all were at home (teens included), I would make milkshakes and popcorn and serve it to them. Some said I spoiled them. Listen, I’m not talking about babying your kids; but there are times when it is profitable to serve them because you want to bless them. I have reaped a 1,000 times over for those moments. I cannot count the number of times I scratched and rubbed backs at bedtime. I found those were often the times when our children, in particular our teens, would talk about what was on their hearts.    

Our children are grown and married and have children of their own. Joe and I still “shepherd” hearts in the adults when opportunity arises. As grandparents, we have lots of opportunity to speak into our grandchildren’s lives and what great joy they bring us.

In closing, let me share a short story with you. About a year and a half ago, I was babysitting for some of our grandchildren. When I arrived they were napping, so I was going to read my Bible and pray while they slept. However, the oldest one woke up and crawled up in my lap. I laid aside my “plans” and held her for awhile. As I sat there, the Lord spoke an amazing thing to me. He said, “Of all the things you could be doing right now, you are doing the most important one. This is the perfect will of God for you at this moment”. I was helping to “shepherd my grandchild’s heart!”
 

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