YOU ARE GOD'S CHILD

Writer and preacher Fred Craddock tells about a new preacher who was greeting his congregation after a worship service. As one boy tried to sneak away, the preacher called out, “Hey, whose boy are you?” The boy froze. It was the last thing he wanted to be asked. The boy had been born to a mother who wasn't married, so in that day and in that place he had a big strike against him. People gave him a label that spat shame on him. The kids threw that label at him at school. The townspeople whispered it about him everywhere. The boy's mother had wanted him to go to Sunday school, but the people at the church asked him not to come back because they said he was a bad influence. Though he didn't return to Sunday school, he wanted to check out the new preacher. As he snuck away after the service, the preacher saw him and asked him the terrible question. Before the boy answered, the preacher said, “I know who you are. I can see the family resemblance.” Then everyone froze until the preacher continued: “You're a child of God!” For you who believe in Jesus Christ, your Father is God himself! However weak or unimportant you think you are, you have infinite value. If you do not yet believe in Jesus as your Savior, won't you commit your life to him today?

Prayer

Lord and Savior, I offer my life to you. Thank you for making me a child of your Father. Help me to welcome all of God's children into your family in your name. Amen.

Mark Stephenson