Got Any Throwaways?

February 17, 2010

by John Imler
John is an RVchurchesUSA Ambassor and author of It’s Never Too Late

It was like a dagger through my heart. The call was from my daughter who informed me that my oldest granddaughterrecycling was in jail on drug charges. This was not the first time—it was just another time. How many times would there be? I had never visited her when she was in jail before and didn’t intend to this time either.

In response, I almost screamed into the phone, “I think it is time for some tough love. Let her sit it out. It will maybe do her some good. Give her time to think for a change.” My daughter’s response surprised me and made me think. “Dad, I don’t have any throwaway children!”

I would later come to realize that my daughter’s reaction was also God’s reaction when Adam and Eve disobeyed Him in the Garden of Eden and partook of the forbidden fruit at the serpent’s suggestion. God could have just returned them to dust from which they were made. But He did not set that example for us to follow. He had given them the ability to choose to follow His directions or that of the serpent. But when they failed, He continued to love them and even made clothing for them to cover their nakedness.

Although He did punish Adam and Eve and send them from their paradise, God still loved them and sat out to bring them home to Him again. He spared no effort or time in doing so either. Throughout the Old Testament God constantly worked to get mankind to follow His commandments. He finally sent His own Son, Jesus Christ, to provide the ultimate sacrifice for all of mankind.

Sometimes it would be so much easier to just throw some individuals away than to suffer the disappointment and heartache that God’s way provides. So as I pondered my own earthly father’s reaction to my behavior as a young man, I realized that there were times when perhaps I could have been thrown away, disinherited, disowned or written off as hopeless. But my earthly father continued to love me and provide for me.

So it was with my heavenly Father. Hadn’t I once been a servant of God but listened to Satan’s lies and turned my back on Him. Hadn’t I disobeyed God many times, yet God had never given up hope and sent the Good Shepherd to rescue me.

Now I realize that God’s way was the way to deal with my wayward granddaughter. Although the way has not been easy, today she is gainfully employed, has two beautiful sons, and is drug free.

Do you have any “throwaways”? Have you given up hope? Although continuing to give love to a wayward child is difficult, it is amazing what God’s way can do with prayer and faith. Jesus Himself challenges us to provide that special love that comes from Him in John 14:32-36. Tough love is really loving when it is tough to do.

John welcomes your comments either below or email him directly at john@faithrescued.com

posted by RvchurchesUSA

Posted by RVchurchesUSA | Filed Under Featured Author, Spiritual Growth, Uncategorized 

Comments

No Comments Yet.

Got something to say?





Exclusively for RVers

Find campgrounds offering nondenominational church services, get resources to help grow your Christian faith, check road conditions, weather & much more .... start here

The Ambassador Club

Do you have a passion to serve the spiritual needs of the RV Community? This Club is just for you! Join others all over the USA who are fulfilling their passion ... check it out

Articles