A Perspective on 100 Fathers, Mothers, Sons, Daughters, Lands, Possessions, ETERNITY in Our Hearts! :)

4/20/2002

Saturday Afternoon, April 20, 2002

Blow the Trumpet in Zion!! Very Cooooool!!!!!

And He said to them, “Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who will not receive a hundred times as much (houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and property—with persecutions) at this time and in the age to come, eternal life” (Luke 18:29-30; Mark 10:29-30 NKJV, NIV, etc.).

I just wanted to share a new twist for me on this subject, because I’ve always thought of that Scripture as something I would receive from God, as He promised, but what about the side of it that means that I ought to be thoughtfully, responsibly parenting a hundred children???? Just a thought.... Clearly it is our Union with Jesus that makes something from nothing and Life from death, but if we all have a hundred ____, shouldn’t we also be thinking of giving as _____ a hundred-fold?? Shouldn’t it NOT be a few parenting a hundred, but rather all, as Able and Led, caring as parents or siblings or neighbors for a hundred?? Not only that I will receive, but also that I contribute to the fulfillment of that scripture merely by being sensitive to care as a mother or brother or neighbor far and wide beyond my own four walls?? Looking to give as a father, not simply to have a hundred fathers.

If I have a hundred fathers, by the Goodness of God alone, am I also willing, as God leads and enables, to be a father to a hundred? I’m speaking of sensitivity and willingness and responsibility, not of gifting or authority. This is simply a matter of care and open eyes and ready hearts, expectantly looking to take care of others outside of the natural and expected requirements of nature. It was Good for me to think of it as not merely a receiving thing, but also a giving one, as the thought dawned on me...and I KNOW I needed it to open my eyes.

-Elise