Bobby came running up the steps onto the front deck and in the ranch-slider throwing his bag down in the corner on his way to the kitchen.
“Wow”, he exclaimed, ”it’s been a busy day! I never had time to stop and think. Our team has been chosen to represent the school in the inter school sports next month”.
“That’s great Bobby,” Mum said,” I suppose that will mean Saturday training each weekend”.
“Yes,” Bobby said sitting on the stool and taking the drink Mum had passed him. “It’s going to be a busy term”.
So it proved to be. Bobby found the training sessions very strenuous, but he enjoyed every bit of it.
As the family got ready to go to church the next morning, Bobby thought wistfully of his bed as he got dressed. Wouldn’t it be good to have a break from church just this once? he thought as he dragged his jersey on. But he knew it was no use to even suggest it. Going to church wasn’t an option in their household, there was never any question of what they would be doing on Sunday mornings!
Bobby mostly enjoyed going to church. The singing was rather cool, and their class leader was really neat. But he found his mind starting to wander this particular Sunday, and he visualised some of the passes he was to make in his next game. Slowly he pulled his mind back to the story the leader was telling. He was saying, “and so the prophet said to Eli the priest, ‘Those who honour God, God will honour’, and that is just the same for us today.”
Bobby stirred himself, and listened to the rest of the lesson.
That evening, Bobby picked up his school books and went out into the dining-room to do some home work that he needed to finish.
“I guess I should ask you to pray for me Dad,” Bobby said, “This work is really hard!”
“You know Bobby,” Dad said thoughtfully, “I don’t think I could pray this for you. You could have done that homework last evening instead of watching TV”.
“Aw, Dad, I was tired last night after all that football practice”, Bobby said.
“You know Bobby, if you put God’s day ahead of things you want to do, God will honour you for it”, Dad said.
“Funny you should say that Dad,” Bobby said, “Our leader said something the same this morning in class”.
“Yes, well this is one of the principles that always stands,” Dad replied, “If you make time to do your home-work ahead of things like TV, and keep God’s day special for Him, He will help you to get through your lessons and tests far better than if you spent time on Sunday for your homework! “
You can read about this in the Bible in 1 Samuel 2: 29-30…..
Wherefore kick ye at my sacrifice and at mine offering, which I have commanded in my habitation; and honourest thy sons above me, to make yourselves fat with the chiefest of all the offerings of Israel my people? 30 Wherefore the LORD God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the LORD saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.