Son, You Keep Teaching Mommy

I'm am amazed how Ethan still teaches my family and I (and I'm sure many others who were touched by him) many valuable lessons.  I was sitting here, reviewing a sermon from a couple Sundays ago about: Are You A Practicing Christian?  I was re-reading over some scripture, and realizing that in my 32 years on this earth, I have a long way to go before I am "there."  Ethan WAS "there." 

Ethan had talked about how he couldn't wait to go to heaven.  He has been saying this for over a year before his passing.  I would look at him and think to myself, WHY?  Life is pretty dandy here on earth, and why be in such a rush?  But now I am starting to get it...slowly, but surely.

You see, in the scriptures it reads:  Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world.  If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 1John 2:15-16 (KJV)

The wise advice given in 1John is so true.  When we get caught up in all the world offers in the way of materialistic things, and what the world says will make us happy, we have this void.  I've felt it, and I'm sure that many of you out there have too.  It's as though something vital is missing, and no amount of stuff you buy will make that void disappear.  How many of you have gone and bought some particular item that you were so excited to get, and then find yourself either not using it within days/weeks/months, OR you just lose interest in it?  That's because the things of this world will never fill that void.  Only He fills that void!

Here I've been loving this world and all of the materialistic things it offers, while my son who was so young just wanted to go home to heaven and be with his Heavenly Father!  Ethan truly knew what loving God was...I have a long way to go.

I pray that in the busyness of the holiday season, that we will all take time to reflect on what is most important.  It's not the presents, it's not parties, it's not any of that stuff that the world has dictated is important.  It's about loving one another, and thanking the Lord for the gift of Jesus Christ.  It's my hope that this Christmas, if you haven't accepted Christ into your heart and home, that you would consider it.  He has sustained us beyond what anyone could imagine, despite such terrible circumstances.  We would NOT be where we are today with out the hope and love of Christ.

Merry Christmas!