Priceless Charges

I am a little later sitting down to write today. Thank You, Father, for the opportunity to get out for supper with Karen’s dad, a Korean War veteran and honoring him. It was a blessing to acknowledge his service and a pleasure spending time with family.

♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦

It has started! I had no sooner dropped off Karen and her parents at the entrance of Der Dutchman Restaurant when the white flakes began to fall…snow! Now I understand for some people snow is a four-letter word on more than one level. I, on the other hand, love it!

You might think I’m crazy – especially since I have to drive my big yellow school bus in it – but it is par for the course. If it gets bad enough, we won’t be out in it but we are professionals who take our jobs very seriously and do our very best to be as safe as we can possibly be. Our “charges” are priceless and our dedication reflects it.

We don’t hear the word “charge” used in this context very often anymore. According to collinsdictionary.com, it is considered a countable noun and describing someone as your charge, means that they have been given to you to be taken care of and you are responsible for them.

To me, from a Biblical perspective, that sounds quite a bit like a shepherd. The first part of Isaiah 40:11 (NLT) states,

He will feed his flock like a shepherd. He will carry the lambs in his arms, holding them close to his heart.

Sheep are not necessarily cooperative – neither are children on a school bus. They want to get into things that are not necessarily safe for them to do. Some are just bull-headed and do what they want regardless of what they are told. Others need guidance because they are naive to the hazards of life or they are in their own little world. For them, it can just be difficult to see beyond their immediate situation.

Lord Jesus, many of us – in all walks of life – shoulder a huge responsibility to care for our charges. They may be children, but ask any pastor and they will tell you that that is not necessarily the case. Adults need shepherding, as well. May we follow Your example. May we do whatever it takes to bring our charges safely home. Amen.

Nov 11^th, 2019, 8:49 pm