We set the sprinkler out in the middle of everything (to symbolize our Olympic torch). I had ten distance markers printed which marked out the sixty feet of our Olympic field and we had four Olympic events. A carved pool noodle was our Javelin for the Javelin throw; a water balloon was the shot put; water guns were used for aquatic Shooting and we had a 5 yard Sprint -- accomplished by hopping on one foot.After each event the participants would come over to the medal area. The silver medal winner would receive their medal first and then the gold medal winner would stand on the medal platform. A gold medal (actually a chocolate, gold-foil covered candy) was placed around his or her neck while Granddaddy hummed the National Anthem.
I was amazed at how proud each child was in receiving their "gold medal." Jackson's chest particularly stuck out with pride as the medal was placed around his neck. He did not appear any less proud than those athletes in London. Jackson won three gold medals in our Olympics and Emma won one. Everyone had a chance to stand on the platform and be the gold medal winner.There is a day coming when we shall be rewarded for our work, as Jackson and Emma, and the dedicated athletes of the real Olympics, are rewarded with their medals.
The Scriptures tell us, speaking of our works:
"Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire." I Corinthians 3:12-15
In that day we will experience loss or we will experience gain. It is my belief that there will be things in our "pile" of works of which we have been especially proud which will flare up in smoke and remain only as ash. There will be others to which we gave little or no thought in this life which we will see remains as "gold, silver, precious stones" after the fire of judgment.
The thing that I find so interesting about the time of judgment though, and one that gives my heart great comfort, is this verse:
"Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God," (1 Corinthians 4:5)
Just as our little Jackson and Emma both received praise and medals, this says "then shall every man have praise of God." How sweet to know we can be certain of having praise from our Lord.
Even though we may experience tears at the loss we have suffered, I can picture our kind Lord, with the tender hand of the loving Father, wiping away those tears and giving us a word of praise which soothes our pain and comforts our heart. The praise of men may be wonderful, but the praise of our Lord must be the most glorious sound in eternity.
"The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty;
He will save,
He will rejoice over thee with joy;
He will rest in his love,
He will joy over thee with singing."
Zephaniah 3:17
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