|
Belle's Musing - My Sister Doesn't Look Like Me
|
Belle’s Musing – My Sister Doesn’t Look Like Me
By Belle Touchton – The Missionary Dog
Mommy - Cheryle M. Touchton
The Pocket Full of Quarters Lady
I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." Luke 18:17 NIV
I’m not sure Kelley likes being called my sister because when Mommy calls her that, Kelley rolls her eyes. I have to admit that my sister doesn’t look much like me but I think that is because Kelley is adopted. The things Kelley and I have in common is that our long hair sheds, everyone loves us and we know it, and we both love God.
Kelley and I made a good ministry team yesterday. Kelley is the Director of Children’s Ministry at North Jacksonville Baptist Church and she brought her fifth and sixth grade students to see me. Mommy thought they were coming to listen about her missionary journeys but we all knew they were coming to see me.
I like it when Kelley comes because she lets me off my leash to run free. I was so happy to see her that I almost forgot to pay her students any attention. I’d do anything for Kelley so when Mommy asked me to do my tricks, I decided to cooperate and do them all perfectly. Mommy and I sang our songs and I sat, spoke, got my tail, and lay down all on the right beat. We praised God and everyone clapped for us. Mommy gave me my treats but I would have done those tricks just for Kelley.
There is a television show that asks if you are smarter than a 5th grader. Most adults Mommy and I meet on the streets are not as smart as my sister’s fifth and sixth grade students are.
Mommy asked them the question, “If you died tonight, would you go to heaven?”
They all immediately said yes. A lot of people say, “I don’t know.”
Mommy asked them why they could be sure. Unlike most people we meet, they knew the right answer - “Because Jesus Christ is our Savior.”
When Mommy asked what that meant, she heard, “Jesus died on the cross for me. I confessed my sins and asked Him into my life.”
They listen to Mommy better than most adults, and asked great questions. Mommy talked for an hour and a half and they never moved. She told them about the people on the streets that had prayed to receive Jesus. She shared our alligator, snake, and coyote encounters. She talked to them about loving God and others and tried to teach them how to lead others to Jesus.
When Mommy finished talking, they started asking questions. One boy asked, “Have you read every verse in the Bible?”
Mommy answered, “Yes I have. I’ve done it several times. It takes me an entire year to read it but I have done it.“
They wanted to know all about the states she’d been to. One asked, “What is your favorite state?”
Mommy answered, “That’s easy. California. You can snow ski in the morning and swim in the beach in the afternoon. I wouldn’t want to live there but I love visiting there.”
Personally I like California because they like dogs and will let me go almost anywhere.
Mommy read them one of the stories I wrote. Don’t tell Mommy this but I think that was their favorite part.
The most impressive thing about these children was their commitment to prayer, meditation, and Bible Study. Kelley and their church were not just teaching them about God, they were helping them develop a relationship with God. They do what Mommy does. Every morning at their camp, each student goes outside with their Bible and a Bible lesson from Kelley to spend time alone with God. These children were eleven and twelve years old and already knew God better than most adults we meet.
Before they left, they took turns taking tours of Halleluiah. One little boy looked at Mommy and said, “We love your daughter.”
Mommy laughed and said, “I love my daughter too.”
I may not look like my sister, but I am honored to have her as my sister. I’m proud of her and the work she does. The peace of God shines from the faces of her students. What confuses me is why everyone doesn’t have their children going to a church like my sister’s church.
==========================================================
Cheryle M. Touchton is the Director of Pocket Full of Change Ministries. For more information or to schedule a speaker for an event, go to www.pocketfullofchange.org or call Gail Golden at 904 316-5462.
This ministry exists because people like you are called to help fund the work of the kingdom. To help keep the Pocket Full of Quarters Lady on the road as a traveling missionary, send your tax deductible contribution to Pocket Full of Change Ministries, POB 51205, Jacksonville Beach, Florida 32240.
© Pocket Full of Change Ministries
|
|