This week we have the privilege of hosting a Vacation Bible Club at our home. These children are precious to watch as they sing, listen to the Bible lesson and missionary story, make crafts, play games and enjoy a snack. They may be wiggly at times, but they hear and retain more than you think. Most of them sit with their eyes locked in on their adult leader. They are like little sponges taking it all in!
You see, children are like sponges. Parents, Sunday School teachers, VBS leaders, grandparents, they watch what you do; listen to what you say; mimic your actions; and follow you around. Just like a sponge they soak it all in. As they get older, the sponge is squeezed and . . . out comes YOU! They talk like you, act like you, think like you, respond like you, use the same words you do, get excited like you, are sad like you, etc.
So, what are the children soaking up from you today? When they are “squeezed” will they be excited about reading the Bible because you are? Will they be singing in church with great enthusiasm because you do? Will they share the gospel with others because you do? Will they memorize the Word because you do? Will they be friendly and hospitable because you are? Will they be compassionate to others because you are?
How my heart is grieved when I see parents place greater importance on the temporal over the eternal. As their children grow up, they have no passion Christ and the eternal things because of their parent’s example.
What would come out of your sponge (child) if he/she was wrung out right now?
2 Chronicles 33:22 And he did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, as Manasseh his father had done. Amon sacrificed to all the images that Manasseh his father had made, and served them.
Ephesians 6:4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
1 Timothy 4:12 Be an example of the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
Philippians 4:9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
From A Pastor's Heart 
Hmm…great thought sir! Though not a biological father yet, but as a growing young man I can relate with how much I soaked up from my parents and those that raised me…I’m grateful I soaked in the right things!
A challenge for me to also carefully and deliberately release into the children around me, the passion for God, His will and word…
Thanks for sharing!
I went to vacation Bible club. Walker and I loved it. We can’t wait till next year.