I was watching one new mother cow yesterday and became fascinated by what I saw. She had been keeping her distance from the rest of the herd but suddenly she began to move her baby, just hours old, toward the rest of the group. She stayed right by his side, guarding and guiding, and began to "introduce" him to the rest of the family. She brought him first to his grandmother (it's a real "Family thing" with us - we've only got twelve cows!) who began to love, on him and push him toward the middle of the group.

I was struck by what cows know that we Christians sometimes forget. A brand new baby, left alone in a big world to flounder and fend for itself, will probably not make it. But one who is protected, nourished, encouraged and supported by the group will grow and flourish and. soon be a vital part of the herd. Now we do pretty well with our children of course, but what about those other "babies"? As we travel to all parts of the country, Rope and I have been blessed to see and hear of a "bumper crop" of salvations recently. God is drawing people to Himself like we've never seen before. Many are experiencing that tug, responding by coming to Christ and then standing around like a wobbly new baby calf, going "NOW WHAT??" We praise the Lord for those giving their lives to Jesus but we cannot expect them all to know how to feed themselves and grow themselves up.

It's essential to understand the need for the Word in everyday life, the importance of prayer and daily communion with God. And we can all play a part inthe lives of new Christians, regardless of our "youth." In 1 Timothy 4:12, Paul writes, "Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the belivers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation (encouragement), to doctrine. Do not neglect the gift that is in you...". God has gifted you with unique abilities and talents to be used in building up the Body of believers. It doesn't matter how "young" you are in the Lord - you've got something to share - some gift, some time, some word of encouragement for someone! We are all to be about the business of evangelizing the lost but we must also recognize the importance of "growing people up" in the Lord. God bless you all as you head out to make disciples!!