Remember The Children

TITLE: Remember the Children
DATE:      April 1, 2019
TEXT: Acts 4: 12 – ESV - And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.
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When you fly some things are important and some things are not.

If you forgot your toothbrush, it’s not a big deal. You can pick up another one when you land. If you are somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean and you realize you left your under arm deodorant behind, your row mates might suffer, but you can stop at a duty free shop and purchase stick, roll-on or spray when you disembark.

Now if you think there might be an exception to this ”forgetting something”  rule, you would be correct.

Recently an exception was found from a Saudi Arabia flight from Jeddah to Kuala Lampur. They had just gotten started when the pilot called the Air Traffic Control and asked for permission to come back to the gate.

Air traffic said, “What?”

The pilot repeated: ”May God be with us. Can we come back or what?”  Then he added that a passenger refused to continue her journey.

Since the Air Traffic Controllers were the group most affected by the delay,  they were given the opportunity to make the decision.  They thought about the myriad difficulties but they came back with the precedent established ruling. “OK, head back to your main gate.”

So that’s the story… except for the fact I failed to mention what the passenger had forgotten. The passenger was a young mother and in the waiting area she had forgotten her child. Apparently that “Home Alone” scenario where a child gets left behind makes for a good comedy movie, but doesn’t do so good in real life.

People don’t want to leave their loved ones, their children behind. At least when people are traveling in this world.
Sadly, that is not necessarily the case when people, parents and families are on their spiritual journey. All too often, in the name of open-mindedness, children are deliberately forgotten or absent-mindedly left at the gate.
That’s pretty dangerous. Consider…

• The parent who says ,”I don’t believe in forcing a particular religion down a child’s throat.”.. is actually saying, “My kids can get on any plane they want. One plane is as good as another.” 
• The parent who says, “All religions are alike if you sincerely believe them” is actually saying, “All airplanes will get you to the right destination if you believe they will.

 
The truth is, parents are responsible for their children. We teach them manners, social interaction, not to drink turpentine, and not to get into the car with strangers. Parents are responsible for making sure their children get swimming lessons, don’t jump out a fifth-story window or play in traffic.

In none of those things do parents wait around in the belief their kids will someday learn to make the right decision. Most of those matters are life and death decisions and we treat them as such. The Savior and the story of salvation is also a matter of life and death. Eternal life and everlasting condemnation.  

We dare not forget the children.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, children are a special gift You have entrusted to parents and us. Grant that we never forget them and be with them as we share salvation’s story. In Jesus’ Name Amen. 

Today’s devotion was inspired by various articles, amongst which is the one written by Rob Quinn on March 12, 2019 for Newser. Those who wish may check out this link which was, at the time of writing, fully active: http://www.newser.com/story/272447/plane-does-u-turn-after-mom-forgets-baby.html?utm_source=8at8&utm_medium=email&utm_content=1636879885135900512&utm_campaign=20190312

The music which introduces and concludes our devotions was written by Guy Baumann. He along three of his brothers perform on the album: The Baumann Brothers which may be ordered here: http://thebaumannbrothers.com/index.html