Today's Devotional

June 20, 2005

Subject:  The Charleston Boys

1John 3:1 - "Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not."

My biography is used in programs and for events at which I'm speaking or doing some sort of service.  One of the lines says that "as a high school football player, I began a long tradition of Charlestons in the backfield."  I clearly remember many years after I left high school and after my youngest brother finished his last season, the coach saying, "no more Charlestons" with a sense of despair.  What I started was a reputation for The Charlestons and their ability to play football.  It was followed up by my brother behind me and then again by the brother behind him until the name "Charleston" became synonymous with "good football player."  People in the surrounding cities with which we competed, knew of The Charlestons.  I can only imagine by listening to my dad brag often around the city, county and state about His sons, how proud he must've been.  It meant something to be called a Charleston.

We may have a certain sense of pride in belonging to a family down here, but the most important family we can belong to is the one where we are called "the sons of God."  Everyone in "the game" knows us because of our Father.  His reputation precedes us and those who don't know us, don't know us because they don't know Him.  

Today as I walk around this area where I grew up, I may run into people who remember me from the yesteryears.  I'm sure they'll reminisce about the good old days, however, those days pale in comparison to where God wants to take us as "sons of God."  The best days are ahead whether you are a Charleston, Smith, Jones, Thompson or whatever this world calls you.  In the end, we're all just "The Father's Kids" and those who know Him know us.   

Carlen