You may have never heard of Horace Traubel, but if you have ever been involved in arts and crafts, or have items of that sort in your home, you may be interested to know that he was highly involved in getting the arts and crafts movement started here in America in the late nineteenth century.
He died at age 60 after suffering several heart attacks, and as the hearse containing his body rolled up outside the church in New York City for the funeral, the church burst into flames.
Interestingly, he had once written, “If the world is cold, make it your business to build fires.”
Here is why this is important. The parent or grandparent who is more interested in training their children for Christ instead of accumulating piles of stuff will be the one who builds fires of curiosity about God in the hearts of their children. They will use odd moments or experiences through the day to teach their children about God and His wondrous works. A spider’s web, a singing bird, the death of a family pet, or as they get older, current events or things that happen in the course of their day, can be the spark that builds a blazing fire in their hearts for God.
But don’t forget the influence of God’s Word. It has the power to change lives and set a course for life, a power which is often overlooked or neglected. Exposing our hearts and the hearts of our children and grandchildren could make all the difference in the way life is approached–and even for eternity.
--Rocky Henriques, www.uticabc.com