Dear Grandkids,
Today is what is known as April Fool’s Day.
Supposedly back around the year 1700 a bunch of pranksters in England began playing practical jokes on one another. Somehow it became a tradition and on April 1 of every year you can usually expect to hear about somebody being fooled by a really good practical joke. Sometimes these jokes are funny. Sometimes, not so much.
Most people don’t really like to be the butt of another person’s joke. And nobody likes to be considered a fool. And yet, according to God’s Word there are a lot of foolish people out there. Check out these verses:
“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But a wise man is he who listens to counsel.” (Proverbs 12:15)
“The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God .” ” (Psalm 14:1)
“He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, But he who walks wisely will be delivered.” (Proverbs 28:26)
Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. (Ephesians 5:15-17)
One of my favorite quotes is by a man names Jim Elliot. Elliot was martyred in 1956 by the Auca Indians in Ecuador along with 4 of his friends as they sought to take the gospel to this unreached people group. He was 28 years old. He had written in his journal during his college days the following words:
“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.”
Ponder these words. Ask your mom and dad what they mean. When you get older talk about this quote with your friends and read the story of Jim Elliot’s life.
Put these words into practice and you will be nobody’s fool.
And never forget that you are very loved!
Pop Pop
