A couple of summers ago, after sensing the need for a change of
pace, my husband and I drove to Montreal, Canada, the largest
French-speaking city in the world, after Paris. It was delightful and
so relaxing. Just what we needed. The people were friendly, the old
city intriguing, and the food wonderful. Montreal is considered to be
one of North America's most interesting cities. And we found it to be
true. In fact, we agreed Montreal is one of the most beautiful cities
we've ever seen. In two weeks' time we walked 150 miles savoring all
the sights and delights, and learning about the history and the greater
metropolitan area itself.

One afternoon we found an old-fashioned ice cream parlor. "It has
to be a great place," Jack said, "look at all the people!" He patted
his "midsection" and I raised my eyebrows and we walked in. We found an
empty table and placed our order.

Just as we were being served, two bedraggled-looking young people
came in each carrying a backpack. They were obviously exhausted. They
spied an empty table where the waitress hadn't removed the plates from
the previous customers, and they plopped down. But just that quickly,
they snatched up the leftovers and wolfed them down. Eyes darting
around, never making eye contact with anyone, they focused on other
empty tables with plates containing food and quickly ran from one to
the other, stuffing the food into their mouths. The young woman, whom I
guessed to be about twenty, was more aggressive than the young man.
They were just starved!

It happened so fast that everyone was in a state of shock. About
the time we and others had recovered from seeing this, they grabbed
their backpacks and were out of the door and gone. "Jack, if only
they'd stayed long enough, we could have offered to buy them food!" I
was dazed by the brief encounter. "Oh Jack," I continued, "I wonder
whose child she is ..." my voice trailed off.

Jack leaned across the table and patted my hand. The food which
had been served so attractively had somehow lost its appeal. I looked
around and noticed others were feeling the same way. The charming place
which just moments before had been the scene of animated conversation
now seemed strangely silent.

Jack's eyes were sad; mine were tearful.

As we left the ice cream parlor and continued our leisurely walk,
my eyes glanced around. I was hoping to catch a glimpse of the young
couple. "There are so many like them in city after city all over Canada
and the United States," my husband said.

"Where are the parents?" I asked. Jack shook his head. Later, as I
reflected on the incident, (in fact, I don't think I will ever forget
those two young people), I was reminded that one of the most wonderful
things about being a Christian is that we are Gods children. Our needs
are important to Him and He is always ready to supply (Phil. 4:19). He
knows the way that we take (Job 23:9). I took comfort in the knowledge
that God even knew their names (Isa. 45:4). I could leave them in the
Fathers hands.

As we walk through life, we can do so with confidence, knowing
that the steps, as well as the stops, of God's children are ordered by
Him (Ps. 37:23). Because we are His children, we can count on His
promises, and they are so many! Our potential as His children is
limitless.

But we need to be living up to our potential. How do people know
we belong to God? Three things, it seems to me, characterize the life
of a child of God: (1) Our conversation; (2) Our conduct; and (3) Our convictions.

Our conversation: She (or he) openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness (Prov. 31:26).

My mother had a little saying which I have called to mind many
times: "He that thinketh by the by the inch, and speaketh by the yard,
shall be kicked by the foot."

The Bible is full of counsel about the need to guard our
conversation. Consider just these few: A soft answer turneth away
wrath; but grievous word stir up anger (Prov. 15:1). How many
relationships would fare better if these words were called to mind when
people were tempted to temperamental outbursts! The tongue of the just
is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is (of) little worth
(Prov. 10:20). Silver reflects. What a beautiful word picture this
presents! Our tongues should reflect the Lord.

Our conduct: We must back up our conversation with right conduct.
Those beautiful graces depicted in Galatians 5 should exemplify the
conduct of our lives: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,
long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance:
against such there is no law (w. 22, 23).

An entire article could be written around each word, but let me
simplify it in this way: LOVE is a new constraint, JOY is a new cheer,
PEACE is a new compassion, LONG-SUFFERING is a new continuance,
GENTLENESS is a new characteristic, GOODNESS is a new character,
PATIENCE is a new confidence, MEEKNESS is a new courtesy and TEMPERANCE
is a new contentment.

Our Convictions: The story is told of David Hume, the agnostic,
who was reproached by his friends because of his inconsistency. He used
to like to go hear the famous preacher John Brown preach, and when
questioned about this he explained, "I don't believe all that he says,
but at least once a week I like to hear a man who declares his
convictions."

How important for us to have strong convictions and to abide by
them. The letter of James emphasizes that our "yes" should be a simple
"yes," and our "no" a simple "no" (Ja. 5:12). In other words, be
convinced in your heart and stand by your convictions. Be a man or
woman whose word is unquestionable. If you say you are going to do
something, or you promise something, it ought to be as if you were in a
courtroom and had taken an oath to speak the truth.

These are just some of the identifying characteristics that mark
us as children of God. The Psalmist said, Mark the perfect man, and
behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace (Ps. 37:37). None
of us have arrived, we aren't wholly perfect, progress is perhaps a
more accurate word to describe our condition. But we should be
progressing.

Perhaps a good prayer would be: "Lord, help me to reflect the fact that I am your child."