The Greatest Gift

My husband and I brought my mother from Nebraska to live with us in 2004. My mother was leaving her life behind and becoming part of our lives. One year, my niece wanted to make my mother a scrapbook with letters, pictures from the great-grandkids, and other mementos to give to her for Christmas. My brothers and I all wrote letters to her to be placed in the scrapbook.

I have a burden for young families who are raising their children in today's culture. The challenge to raise them knowing and serving God will be an immense one. As the scripture says: "Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leads unto life, and few there be that find it." Matthew 7:14

I was raised in a Christian home and going to church was a big part of my life. However, my parents gave me much more. Steve and Annie Chapman wrote a song that my husband, my son, and I sang at church the day we celebrated my parents' 50th anniversary. It explains what is truly important and what sometimes gets lost in our "me, me, me" society. I ended my letter to my mom with the following song. I hope all parents of any age will live up to its message.

The Greatest Gift

You can give your children houses, you can give them land,

the riches of your efforts and all your best laid plans.

But of all that they inherit, of all that you could "will"

these include the unseen treasure of the life that God has filled.

Someday the house will crumble, time will turn the land to dust.

And when all accounts are empty where will you invest their trust?

But if the riches that you give them, is the wisdom of His ways,

then the wealth you leave your children will last through all their days.

For the greatest gift a mother can give is a life lived for Jesus.

And the greatest gift a father can give is the knowledge of the Lord.

Pass Him on to your children. He's the gift that keeps on giving.

The Greatest Gift is a life lived for Jesus.

KEEP ON KEEPIN' ON

KAREN