After the discussion about the Ten Commandments, Deuteronomy 6:7 tells us this:
“Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”

Then Proverbs 20:7 tells us:
“The just man walketh in his integrity (a blameless life); his children are blessed after him.”

Those scriptures make perfect sense, but what if the household in which a child finds himself or herself is not a Godly one? What if the principles of righteousness (right living) are not lived, much less taught? Godless living has led many children into mischievous, illegal, and immoral behavior over the years, as they simply repeat or react to how they have been parented. Governments have made attempts to protect children, though their efforts are too often limited by budget constraints or a lack of people resources. The fact is that many children fall through the cracks and the resulting neglect or, in too many cases, downright abuse is overlooked or at best unnoticed.

Today, I want to celebrate the Godly life and commitment of Sherry Black. I have known Sherry since approximately 1981 and know her to be a Godly woman who seeks to live a life pleasing to God and she has passed that way of living on to, not only her own daughter (and resulting grandchildren), but through the Foster Parent System, has been able to “impress those values” to the children of many others; children who were neglected, abused, or abandoned by their biological families and desperately needed The Holy Spirit’s protection and leading in their lives. Despite the fact that governmental authorities tend to restrict any overt evangelistic efforts by Foster Parents, she has used principles of Lifestyle Evangelism to “walk in integrity” and thus lead the children to Christ.

The parent-child relationship forms the basic context for spiritual growth. Parents lay the foundation, spiritually or not, for their children. Paul believed his job was to lay foundations. He would arrive in a city, bring some people into faith in Christ, help them get sufficiently established so they could stand on their own, and then he would move on (from Lifestyle Discipleship by Jim Peterson). Sherry’s situation is a bit different, but bears a strong resemblance to that of Paul’s. Sherry remains stationary in her home and the children come there for a season then they move on.

Sherry is like Nehemiah’s workers, working with a trowel in one hand, (spreading the Good News through a righteous life and teaching the fruits of living a life led by the Holy Spirit), and a weapon in the other (the Word of God and the power of a personal relationship with the Holy Spirit), to fight the ever-present spiritual battles and protect the children in her charge. It is a joy to see Sherry and her kids in the Worship Service on Sunday mornings. They are interested, attentive, and always seem genuinely willing to engage in relationships with those who wish to engage with them.

Obviously, Sherry has prepared them well to participate in the Praise and Worship of our Savior. Well done, good and faithful servant. Sherry Black has not only provided a good role model for the children she cares for, but also for the rest of us, as she has found a niche in which God has utilized her to further the Kingdom of God. God has a plan for all of His “children.” We will all be fulfilled in our individual missions as we follow God’s leading.

Actually, we will discover that what God has planned for each of us is actually the same as we could describe as “our heart’s desire.” If we are not doing that which pleases us, we are probably not doing what God had in mind for us either. Matthew 6:33 says “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Sherry Black has been hitting homeruns by following the niche that God has for her and that makes all of the children in her care Winners. By the way, when Sherry and the kids win, we win as well.

“I’m Just Sayin’.”