In my younger years, my mother and father gave me a great gift–the gift of being naïve when it comes to worldly things. Now, this naivety caused me a lot of problems with the world when I got out on my own, but it has blessed my spiritual life with God all my years. 
I’ve told you before, but it bears repeating now….my mother was mostly the one in charge of us six children. Now, don’t get me wrong, dad was always around with his belt, or at least the threat of it; but mom was normally the one we children heard from. She would wake us all up and call us to the table where a generous breakfast was waiting for us. But before we could eat a bite, we had to listen to a scripture reading, the daily devotional, and repeat the Lord’s Prayer in unison; every morning rain or shine, death or life, whether it was a day of great sadness or a day of great happiness, it didn’t matter. For 365 days a year, or 366 days in a leap year. For those of you calculating, that’s about 6,209 times of listening to scripture and praying. Of course, this doesn’t include my nightly prayers, another 6,209; and of course, each week at youth group, Sunday school, and worship. I lost count; anyway, it’s a bunch of scriptures and prayers. Plus, this was just for my first 17 years! 
I thought everyone…. every family did this because dad protected us from the world. We got to watch one hour of TV a week, plus of course the Walton’s every week. I mostly lived outside; we lived in the wilderness (8 people/square mile, Escambia County has 408 people/square mile) – a boy’s fantasy. I didn’t know about the world, which at first I saw as a liability since I currently live in the world. I remember one of the first nights in a college dorm room. After the lights were turned off, we would lie in bed and talk about stupid stuff before sleeping. One night, my roommate asked me if I always say a prayer before going to sleep. I said “of course” without even thinking about it, and then I realized he did not, and he didn’t believe me when I told him I did. But it was true – even when I’d had more to drink than I should have or got in trouble for stealing at TG&Y (another blessing – getting caught that is), I always prayed and asked forgiveness for any sins I may have committed. 
Proverbs 22:6 - Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it (ESV). I now see just how blessed I was. Know this; it’s never too late to start, whether you’re a parent, grandparent, great grandparent, or if you want to train yourself – start learning and/or teaching God’s Word – make it priority number one. 
After Easter, we will resume with Daniel, chapter 7 in our Tuesday Bible Study sessions. Between now and then, we will have our Lenten drama programs which will include soup as well as substance. This year, we are using the “Watchers on the Hill” program. 
      See ya’ at the Lenten or Sunday services and every day – on the internet - www.facebook.com/timthepastor.

                                                        All glory and honor to  G

Peace and blessings, Tim.