“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10 NIV)

Last Monday I told the story of the accident my father was involved in as we travelled through France one year. I was probably about 12-years-old at the time, and it was most definitely my first automobile accident. I was shocked and horrified that anyone would blame my dad for the accident, and oh, so relieved when the police declared him, “not guilty” and apprehended the real culpret: A motorcyclist who, although he caused the accident between the two cars, had left the scene unhurt. The problem was, however, our car was not in a condition where it could be driven, and we were stuck in that little French town until we could get it fixed.

Please understand that this wasn’t exactly the vacation along the Spanish coast that my parents had planned, and the two rooms in the hotel they rented for the four of us was hardly the luxurious resort my father had reserved. None of us was happy with the arrangements, but what choice did we have?

The person in charge of the hotel was really nice. Though I don’t even remember his name, for whatever reason he seemed to like me. Whenever his hotel duties allowed, he would come and find me, and he would play with us. His promise to me? “You will have fun, don’t worry! I like kids, and I love to help them have fun! Especially when they are stuck in France, at my hotel, when they would really rather be on the beach in Spain!”

I had a friend, and somehow that made all the difference for me. As a matter of fact, I started to see this little “pause” in our vacation plans in a more positive light. I was, after all, tired of driving in the car! And where else would I find someone so nice who went out of his way to entertain me!

As an adult, I know what you are all thinking: A fully-grown stranger playing with a boy? What were his ulterior motives?

Those thoughts wouldn’t have even crossed my mind in those days, but as an adult, I would certainly have thought them. I know that my parents were a bit wary about the time this man spent with me, and as a result, they didn’t really get to know him at all. I’m only thankful that they didn’t stop our friendship. I can set your mind at ease, however, that this stranger’s only actual motive was to try and brighten the stay of these disillusioned and stranded tourists from Belgium.

Fast forward about five years, and I was also at a “pause” in my life, a turning-point, so to speak. I was to graduate from high school. What would I do after that? Once again, I was introduced to a new friend, and this One’s name stuck with me: Jesus Christ! He promised me so many good things, all in exchange for having a relationship with Him. Unfortunately, I didn’t understand that part. All I understood is that I needed Jesus in my life. So I was baptized.

I admit, however, that I was wary of Him. Through the years, I was aware of His presence. I went to church regularly, hey, I even studied to become a pastor! But I was afraid of Him and everything I did was to try and appease Him. It wasn’t until years later that I realized He wasn’t out to hurt me. He wasn’t there to use me, to demand my allegiance, to bury me under bad things if I didn’t follow Him. Rather, He was like that hotel manager in that little place we were forced to stay in France: He genuinely wanted to walk with me through life, to be my friend, to guide and direct me! He has no ulterior motives! His only motive is to try and brighten our stay on this earth, to make life’s paths it a little easier to walk, and to ensure that one day we will go to Heaven to live with Him there!

When I think about how those days in France awaiting the repairs on my father’s car would have been without my new friend, I realize how much better that little “pause” in our vacation had been because I accepted this man’s friendship. If I had been standoffish with him, I would have been so bored and unhappy! And when I think about how beautiful my life has been since I truly accepted Jesus and began pursuing a relationship with Him, I realized Jesus has no ulterior motives, that He genuinely cares, He keeps His promises, and He wants to be with us, I realize how much richer and happier it has been since those days when I served Him out of fear. I have personally experienced how Jesus has given me life in the fullest sense: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10 NIV)

How is your relationship with God? Are you standoffish, as I was when I first met God? Are you afraid to NOT serve Him? Do you see Him as a bit of a tyrant? If the answer to this is “yes”, then you don’t fully realize the depth of His love for you. You don’t yet know Him, and as a result, your life is not as rich and full as God intends for it to be. I urge you to spend time with God. Get to know Him. You won’t be sorry, for when you do, your life will take on so much more meaning. I’m not saying that you will never have troubles, for Jesus tells us that we WILL have troubles in this life! But I promise you that you won’t walk those dark paths alone: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:31 NIV)

I urge you to reach out and accept the offer of friendship that Jesus gives you. You won’t be sorry!

In His love,
Rob Chaffart
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10 NIV)

Last Monday I told the story of the accident my father was involved in as we travelled through France one year. I was probably about 12-years-old at the time, and it was most definitely my first automobile accident. I was shocked and horrified that anyone would blame my dad for the accident, and oh, so relieved when the police declared him, “not guilty” and apprehended the real culpret: A motorcyclist who, although he caused the accident between the two cars, had left the scene unhurt. The problem was, however, our car was not in a condition where it could be driven, and we were stuck in that little French town until we could get it fixed.

Please understand that this wasn’t exactly the vacation along the Spanish coast that my parents had planned, and the two rooms in the hotel they rented for the four of us was hardly the luxurious resort my father had reserved. None of us was happy with the arrangements, but what choice did we have?

The person in charge of the hotel was really nice. Though I don’t even remember his name, for whatever reason he seemed to like me. Whenever his hotel duties allowed, he would come and find me, and he would play with us. His promise to me? “You will have fun, don’t worry! I like kids, and I love to help them have fun! Especially when they are stuck in France, at my hotel, when they would really rather be on the beach in Spain!”

I had a friend, and somehow that made all the difference for me. As a matter of fact, I started to see this little “pause” in our vacation plans in a more positive light. I was, after all, tired of driving in the car! And where else would I find someone so nice who went out of his way to entertain me!

As an adult, I know what you are all thinking: A fully-grown stranger playing with a boy? What were his ulterior motives?

Those thoughts wouldn’t have even crossed my mind in those days, but as an adult, I would certainly have thought them. I know that my parents were a bit wary about the time this man spent with me, and as a result, they didn’t really get to know him at all. I’m only thankful that they didn’t stop our friendship. I can set your mind at ease, however, that this stranger’s only actual motive was to try and brighten the stay of these disillusioned and stranded tourists from Belgium.

Fast forward about five years, and I was also at a “pause” in my life, a turning-point, so to speak. I was to graduate from high school. What would I do after that? Once again, I was introduced to a new friend, and this One’s name stuck with me: Jesus Christ! He promised me so many good things, all in exchange for having a relationship with Him. Unfortunately, I didn’t understand that part. All I understood is that I needed Jesus in my life. So I was baptized.

I admit, however, that I was wary of Him. Through the years, I was aware of His presence. I went to church regularly, hey, I even studied to become a pastor! But I was afraid of Him and everything I did was to try and appease Him. It wasn’t until years late that I realized He wasn’t out to hurt me. He wasn’t there to use me, to demand my allegiance, to bury me under bad things if I didn’t follow Him. Rather, He was like that hotel manager in that little place we were forced to stay in France: He genuinely wanted to walk with me through life, to be my friend, to guide and direct me! He has no ulterior motives! His only motive is to try and brighten our stay on this earth, to make life’s paths it a little easier to walk, and to ensure that one day we will go to Heaven to live with Him there!

When I think about how those days in France awaiting the repairs on my father’s car would have been without my new friend, I realize how much better that little “pause” in our vacation had been because I accepted this man’s friendship. If I had been standoffish with him, I would have been so bored and unhappy! And when I think about how beautiful my life has been since I truly accepted Jesus and began pursuing a relationship with Him, I realized Jesus has no ulterior motives, that He genuinely cares, He keeps His promises, and He wants to be with us, I realize how much richer and happier it has been since those days when I served Him out of fear. I have personally experienced how Jesus has given me life in the fullest sense: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10 NIV)

How is your relationship with God? Are you standoffish, as I was when I first met God? Are you afraid to NOT serve Him? Do you see Him as a bit of a tyrant? If the answer to this is “yes”, then you don’t fully realize the depth of His love for you. You don’t yet know Him, and as a result, your life is not as rich and full as God intends for it to be. I urge you to spend time with God. Get to know Him. You won’t be sorry, for when you do, your life will take on so much more meaning. I’m not saying that you will never have troubles, for Jesus tells us that we WILL have troubles in this life! But I promise you that you won’t walk those dark paths alone: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:31 NIV)

I urge you to reach out and accept the offer of friendship that Jesus gives you. You won’t be sorry!

In His love,
Rob Chaffart


(To access the entire “Through the Eyes of a Child” devotional series, please click here)