“If you build it, they will come…”
As we watch the Boys of Summer, cheering on our favorite baseball teams, I am reminded of the movie Field of Dreams. You’ll recall the main character builds a baseball diamond in the middle of his Iowa cornfield after hearing voices. whisper the above quote. Simply creating the field was not the end of the story. He chases across the country to discover the answer to two important questions. “Why?” and “What happens now?”
During the construction of the baseball field he is questioned, criticized, and ridiculed. He comes close to losing the farm. But he perseveres, confident his efforts will result in something amazing. My favorite scene is after the old-time players finish the game and leave the field. One player remains, his father, as a young man. They play catch and talk, as he relishes the opportunity to spend time with the man he rejected when he was a boy.
We also have the chance to spend time with our Father. Do we make the best use of our opportunities? How much time do we spend in quiet contemplation reflecting on God’s Word? Or do our busy schedules make it a challenge to carve out some time each day? But He is always there reaching out to us, ready to spend time and communicate with us.
As parents we take on the task of influencing our children and grandchildren. What we do and say is a living example for them. Praying, having devotions, going to church, and just spending time with them, demonstrating our values can make a lifetime of difference. Proverbs 22:6 reminds us, “Train up a child in the way they should go and even when they are old, they will not turn from it.”
I recently had the pleasure of taking two of my grandchildren to The Ark Encounter in northern Kentucky. Seeing the reality of Noah’s Ark come to life, opened the door to some great conversations. My prayer is, experiencing, reading the stories, and discussing how this biblical account happened, cements the faith that has been nurtured in their young lives.
What impact can you have on the lives of your grandkids, friends, and neighbors? Take the time to share your faith. Demonstrate your faith in how you live your life. It can make a lifetime of difference. We invite you to join with Church Extension Fund to work with us to Build the Kingdom.