Just as her friends were doing, my daughter Melissa was busily preparing for adulthood. At school, she was getting ready for college by taking the right courses and had signed up for the ACT college entrance test.
Outside of class, Melissa was learning the socialization skills it takes to get along with people by spending time with friends, classmates, and teammates. At her job, she was learning the relational skills needed for a future career of work. At home, Mell was preparing for future family life by experiencing the way a Christian family would interact.
Getting ready for life as an adult takes work, and Melissa was making good progress.
But none of that preparation was what she would need. In 2002, when she died in a car accident at age 17, the only preparation that mattered was her readiness for heaven.
When the truest test of preparedness came so suddenly on that beautiful June evening—when eternity’s door opened for Melissa—she was prepared. She had put her faith in Jesus and trusted His sacrifice on the cross for her sins (John 3:16; Rom. 5:8-9).
When she faced the ultimate test of being prepared, Melissa was ready. Are you? — by: Dave Branon (FOR: Our Daily Bread; 3/31/12)
God’s time is now, for the days fly fast,
And swiftly the seasons roll;
Today is yours, it may be your last;
Choose life for your priceless soul! —Fithian
If death comes today, will you be prepared to meet God?
READ: Romans 5:1-11
1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.
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Thank you for sharing what is so deeply your heart and so true. We have homeschooled our children for the very reasons that you have cited…if the children are smart and socialized are they also prepared to meet their Maker? We have been very disappointed to find how little even the Christian community is to put RELATIONSHIPS with God and with others as Jesus did, TOP PRIORITY. You don’t need smarts or school social skills, no ‘youth culture’or street wise to love God and others, but you must have Jesus Christ as the Ruler of your soul. Thank you for reminding me for what purpose we sacrifice. I am SO happy for you that you will have eternity to share with Melissa and Mr. McClain, whenever I pray for my step-sister Melissa I will also include your dear daughter and I will remember to pray more often for them both.
mrsjwb: plz note…that the young lady lost in this devotional was not my daughter…I didn’t write same…it was written by Dave Branon for Our Daily Bread…see attribution at end of devotional before start of scripture verses…
Dear Mychal,
Having a daughter Melissa myself, I read the lead up, while comparing it to my own daughter’s actions at that age. I looked at the two different paths chosen, and I know somewhat of that pain you suffered, and deeply, yet at the same time, while I have my Melissa, she does not have what your Melissa had, at the provident moment, and all I can do is hope and pray that she opens her eyes, her spiritual eyes, and chooses to believe, because it is nothing but choice, because I daily watch my Melissa live absent God, and at the same time, being devastated by an ongoing auto-imune disease, blinding her physically, while the drug therapies are further destroying her bones and ligaments, and I can do nothing but pray for her. I will pray for your Melissa, that God will hear, and will speak to my Melissa, as I am unable to do effectively.
May God Bless us both in this message, I know from your own work, he has mightily Blessed you, and for this I am eternally thankful.
Sincerely,
John McClain
Vanceboro, NC
john mcclain: my friend I did not write today’s devotional…it was written by Dave Branon…see attribution at end of devotion…before start of scripture verses…thkfully my son who is my only child is doing well…