Whatever You Do, Don't Miss Jesus!

". . . He saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. Without delay He called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed Him." Mark 1:19-20

I love this scripture and the picture in draws in my mind of two adult men with their father. Jesus said come and they dropped everything. What a thrilling experience for those two young men. I have prayed that for my children, that they drop everything and go with Jesus wherever He wants them.

In my later years, I think about Zebedee. He was there too. I wonder if he prayed for his boys. Scripture doesn't tell us much about Zebedee, but what it does tell us is that he was their Daddy and they helped him fish. For me, the best part of fishing with my daddy was the time we spent together. Zebedee must have spent hours of time with his boys.

This morning I received pictures I had made of my family in July. It is late afternoon and I have done little else this entire day except look at pictures. Like Zebedee, I have spent countless hours with my children. My heart is full as I look at the pictures of the people who are so precious to me, but the overwhelming love pricks my heart with sadness because they live so far away and I miss them.

I don't know how Zebedee felt that day, but my sadness is laced with peace. Jesus said to my kids "come," and they went. When I am tempted to say "Don't go," I think about James and John, fight the tears, and think "Go! Don't miss it!"

As I began to write this post, a lump formed in my throat at the realization that my first two grandsons names are James and Jonathan. A coincidence? Maybe. There is no Zebedee here and they are cousins, not brothers.

Still, my prayer for them both is that when Jesus says to them, "Come, follow me," they drop everything and go! Sweet boys, don't miss walking with Jesus!