© 1987 By Lois F. ( Miller) Stimbert
ONCE UPON A TIME..... when I was about 10 or 11 years old, the kids in the neighborhood played a game, " Follow The Leader". This game was a favorite but there was a lot of competition among the kids concerning who would be the leader. Consequently we took turns, and each of us would try to out-do the others in coming up with fun things to do.
It works like this: The "Leader" would do something and everyone else would to the same thing, such as hopping on once foot, then changing to the other without notice, scratching your head, clapping you hands, waving the arms above the head... You get the idea? One thing I always had trouble with was whistling. No matter how I shaped my lips, I never could make a sound..still can't for that matter. When something was especially silly, we'd laugh and laugh. It was lots of fun. Did you ever do anything like that?
How would you like to take a few minutes to play "Follow The Leader" right now. Everyone join in. Who wants to be the Leader? .......?
Ok, now let's talk about the fact that, whether we realize it or not, all of us, young and old, have someone to follow....someone we want to be like, such as someone who is rich, or has lots of influence,.. a teacher, or parent... Think a moment.. Who would I MOST want to be like.?
I read a story recently that really says something about "Follow The Leader". There was this very busy highway near a lake. On this particular morning, traffic going toward the lake was stopped. The drivers of the many cars that were lines up couldn't see far enough ahead to know what was causing the delay. Finally word came back that a Mother Duck, followed by several ducklings was crossing the road. Mama Duck knew the lake had lots of good things for her little ones to feast on and she didn't let anything, even a big powerful car stop her. They just followed the one ahead of them. They could have left the procession; nothing would have stopped them.. but they all arrived at the lake and had a wonderful time.
To me, this says a lot about "Leading" and "Following The Leader". The Mother Duck knew from experience where the goodies were. The kind of person we become depends on the kind of person we choose to follow....to be like. If we think that what we do with our life is OUR own business, and that we aren't responsible to anyone for what we do with it, then our choices will be made from a selfish attitude. "To heck with the other fellow." If only we would realize that there just might be someone who wants to be like us, might it make a difference where we go, or what we do, or say? ...... in our family, in our community, in our world? I think it would.
So who is the Person above all others that will never lead us down the wrong path, who expects us to follow HIM with complete confidence and trust? There is only one answer to that, I'm certain you'll agree....God, in the person of His son, Jesus Christ. So let's review just for a moment a few of the times God has left it up to Man to choose to be like Him, or not...
First there were Adam and Eve. I Believe God wanted His highest creation, Man, to be His companions and to share the good thing He has placed here on earth for them. But what happened? Here's Eve saying to Adam, "Aw, cone on , Adam. I know that God said we shouldn't eat this apple, but it look SO good. Let's just take one. He won't miss it! And one bite surely won't kill us."
Can't you just see God watching patiently in the Garden of Eden for Adam and Eve to share their day with Him, and waiting...and waiting. "I wonder what's keeping those kids!" Finally He goes to find them... And they were hiding from Him! They were hiding because they had disobeyed Him. They had chosen not to follow..,,and were driven out of the Garden, and made to toil the land for their living.
Over and over again, down through the years, there have been good leaders and those whose purpose was selfish and led to destruction. Joshua said to the Israelites, "Choose you this day whom you will serve (follow). As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord".
So what are we as parents saying to our children? Are we saying, by our example, our choices, "Go ahead, live it up!" " You're only young once." Do as I say, not as I do." ...or "I want the best for you so the choices I make are ones I want you to be able to make. Are we saying to our loved ones..." Put your hand in mine and together we will be the persons that God intended when He created us." Each parent here has a hope in his or her heart for the child given to them to lead. God has no higher calling for us than to be good parents....good leaders.
We might ask ourselves, if everyone on earth was just like me, what kind of a world would it be? One of peace and harmony, loving the other person as God loved us and as we love ourselves?
The time will come for each of us to give an account of how we used the years we've been given.. Will God say, "Well done?"
Remember..there just might be someone who is following in your footsteps! Jesus said, "If any one causes even one of these children to go astray, it would be better for him to have a stone hung around his neck and be cast into the sea, then to face the wrath of my Father."
Children were very precious to Him. They should also be our most treasured gift. Let's lead them to life Eternal and let's start RIGHT NOW!
Puyallup WA. July 26, 1987
{Lois's hand writing at end says}
Worship was held beneath the towering pines and blue skies near Ron and Pam's house, a truly green Cathedral.
© Darla Stimbert 2002