The Devotional - A Look at the Book #806

by Jesse Abel

A Word from Papa “J”

 

Papa “J” is just a word on the surface of circumstance. With only these few words to guide the day; “well it is like strolling through life with one’s shoes untied”. It is not the laces that make one stumble and fall but it is the complacency of soul in the heart. Proverbs 19:24

 

Good Morning

When I was a child my parents took me to visit my father’s dad in Cincinnati, Ohio. He and his wife owed a small grocery store in one of the neighborhoods of the city. There was little for me to do while we visited and I do not recall ever going to their home; I only remember the store and the small yard in back of the store.

Now what I am about to say may sound harsh to some or a bit comical to others, but my grandfather gave me a beat up old bat and told me to go out back and kill rats. He was not joking; I went outside and was immediately introduced to two rats walking on the fence that fenced off the little yard space.

The rats were large and not afraid of me being there, so I lined up the bat and gave one a swat, to my surprise I hit him and I accomplished my grandfather’s wishes. The other rat scurried off and the task at hand was over. If there were other rats around the message got out that I was good with the bat.

We only visited my grandfather that one time and later while in the Navy I heard that he had died unexpectedly from choking on some food he was eating. However, instead of mourning over him my thoughts immediately went to the little backyard the bat and the rat. It is strange how the heart reacts to the circumstances of life and death.

Lately I have been wondering about our children’s children. What will our grandchildren remember out their grandparents, will they remember that we helped to destroy their freedom of worship, freedom of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness? Will they? Or will they remember that we fought for freedom by getting rid of the rodents that are chewing up our Constitution?

There was a day when you could kill a rat and get away with it or even be applauded for it, but in today’s world one might pay a heavy fine, or be imprisoned for harming a not so harmless rodent. But today people are applauded for eradication of unborn babies even while rodents feed on the rotting bodies of those who went before them, since none of these unborn babies are given a decent burial.

This is harsh talk, I know that; but I also know that, “lullaby and goodnight” is never heard from the sleep of death. Since Roe vs Wade… thirty million plus children have been aborted. So a grandfather I never knew or understood may seem to be a harsh man from the eye of my mind! But this I know that he like those aborted babies know eternity better than I do.

For the babies, they have returned to God who created them, He comforts each one and what a joy it is to KNOW that these very short lived individuals are in His permanent presence even now. As for my grandfather, only he and God are aware of his permanent dwelling. Well if it is heaven then the same comfort the children have is his as well. If not then, he is in trouble for his eternity is HARSH! Luke 16:18-31