The high places, however, were not removed, and the people continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense there. (1Kings 22:43)
THE COMBINEDAROMAS OF COFFEE and chlorine wafted through the air as Jen and her husband watched their twin girls swim down the lap lanes of the school pool. The routine was familiar. Their family was familiar with the routine. Sunday mornings through July the girls squeezed in extra practices. Basketball games kept the family of six busy on Sunday mornings during the winter months.
A family finding other influences to serve rather than God is not a new phenomenon. Often, bending a knee to an idol is not even required. In the time of Judah’s kings, Asa, a righteous king, placed his trust in foreign alliances and friendships instead of in God. These foreign influences eventually led Judah to reserve special places of worship for other gods.
Jen felt guilty about giving so much time to her children’s sports activities, but she insisted these activities were good for them. Keeping the kids busy kept them out of trouble, and with an increase of childhood obesity, Jen knew her kids were staying healthy. Jen missed attending church and felt a little guilty about not taking her family to church with any regularity, but she at least made sure that they went to church on Christmas and Easter. Jen was beginning to think that holidays weren’t enough.
Ponder activities that your family might put before God.
Amy Knepp is a graduate of Indiana Wesleyan University and a stay-at-home mother of four children.
© 2018 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission.
