My husband and I prepared our daughters with as many details as we could about Noah and his ark before taking them to the Ark Experience in Kentucky. At the time, our girls were six and seven years old. They knew the story like the back of their hand and could locate the scripture in their Bibles that held the facts about the faithful servant of God. Paisley, seven, insisted on wearing her rain boots on the tour of the Noah’s Ark replica. She wanted to be prepared for the flood, even warning us with her words. “You never know when a flood might come,” Paisley confidently announced. We agreed to let her wear the rain boots on the dry, winter day.

Touring the enormous boat filled with history and facts encompassed our young daughter’s minds. They flowed with constant questions trying to make sense of the true Biblical story. We made fun memories on our trip as a family but more importantly God used my daughter to speak His truth into my life.

This week, several years since our tour of the Ark replica, I shuttled my daughters to gymnastics, Kid’s club Bible study, a 4-H meeting, music lessons, and more. Carefully scanning the calendar, I realized that we had something on almost every day of the week. I cringed at the thought of the busy schedule we were keeping. After all, a prize isn’t given to the one with the fullest calendar. We strive for simplicity, carving out time to be still, in our Bibles, and prayer as a family. While we love to see our daughters thrive on the gymnastics mat, in the show ring, and on the stage, what we desire most for our daughters is a place on the Ark.

Our society offers so many activities and options to fill our time with. If we, as parents, don’t teach our children to run the race God has set before them, they will chase after anything. We can compete for a spot in the class, a place on the team, and a ribbon in the ring, but THE most important thing we can do is set an example for our kids to chase after a personal relationship with God. One day soon all of the things of this world will disappear and we will only be left with what we invested in God’s Kingdom.

Paisley is right, we never know when a flood could come. Putting your boots on when the rain comes is like filling your heart and mind with God’s word and living out His will each day. When the things of the world are gone, what will you have left to stand on? While enjoying the many things accessible to us, challenge yourself to put God first. Don’t be too busy running to meet the world's needs, forgetting that you were created for a specific purpose. Fill your calendar with blank spaces to be still, investing in yourself and your family. At the end of your life, you will never regret the time spent learning scripture, praying, serving, and growing your personal relationship with Christ. As parents, we work hard to ensure our kids don’t miss practice, school, games, or lessons. Are we working just as hard to ensure our children don’t miss the Ark?

Daily, pull your rain boots on, and prepare yourself for eternity.

“He has set eternity in the human heart.” Ecclesiastes 3:11 

Contact Ashley at ashley@tippgazette.com

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Tippecanoe Gazette

Attn: Ashley Spring McCarroll

PO Box 84

Tipp City, Ohio 45371