Scars or Medals? Or Both?
When you and I pass away and go on to the gates of heaven, what do you think God will be looking for when we meet him face-to-face? Is he going to be looking at what kind of clothes we wore? What our job or career accomplished? How big and nice our home was? How many cars we had in the driveway? Do you think God wants to examine how much money you gave to charitable organizations? Personally, I don’t think any of those things will be his focus. Elbert Hubbard made a statement that really encapsulates what I believe God will be looking for, “God will not look you over for medals, degrees or diplomas, but for scars.”
Living in today’s world is tough! If you are a parent, you already know that parenting is a tough business. There will be many times your heart is going to be broken by your child. Some of you reading this right now have already had your spirit crushed. Maybe more than once. Remember, the scars are really medals to show the Lord that you have done the best job you could do in raising your child. The bedrock for child rearing is this – without Jesus Christ, you cannot raise a child to greatness in what really counts.
For each one of us, that meeting with the Lord is in front of us. What do you want Him to see when you stand before your creator as He examines your heart? It is never too late to become the best person, mate and parent you can be. Satan wants you to quit and give up, while the Lord speaks into your heart and simply says,”Trust me.”
Trust in the Lord, and don’t ever, ever give up!
-John Croyle, Founder, Big Oak Ranch 
September 20 the Auxiliary of Big Oak Ranch presents an Evening with Amy Grant at the Samford Wright Center. All proceeds benefit the Ranch, www.bigoakauxiliary/2016fundraiser.
Tickets available at www.tickets.samford.edu, 726-2853.
