Messages of encouragement, commendation, and honor for parents and teachers

By MariaMaria #668 CM/FM 3478 6/03

Dear wonderful parents and teachers,

1. This GN is dedicated to you! You have one of the most important jobs in the Family—caring for our wonderful children—and you're worthy of as much appreciation‚ honor‚ and commendation as we can possibly heap on you. I'm so thankful that Jesus has made it possible to dedicate the following pages to you.

2. Sometimes you may feel forgotten or as if your ministry doesn't mean much to others. You may be tempted to feel that others' jobs or responsibilities are more important‚ and that you're just a "lowly" childcare worker, teacher, or parent caring for a child—or your many children. But I want to remind you that you're tops! You're highly esteemed and honored in Heaven for your many sacrifices and labors of love for our precious children, and Peter and I also admire you and consider you the "greats" of the Family.

3. You may feel most of the time just like a little person with a lowly job, but the way Jesus sees it is completely opposite. "The first shall be last and the last shall be first" (Mat.19:30), and "the lowly shall be exalted" (Luk.1:52). Everything you pour into the children—whether they're your flesh children or your children in spirit—is going to bear fruit. You'll be rewarded for every sacrifice, too, and every act of love is being recorded in Heaven.

4. Even if others don't always see the love you give, the time you invest, the heartaches you experience, the challenges you face, the battles you fight, and the persevering spirits you possess to overcome so many obstacles, Jesus does‚ and He's going to reward you accordingly. As Dad said in "Little People" (ML #974‚ Vol.8), those who do what seem like the lowliest jobs here on Earth are going to receive some of the biggest rewards and the greatest crowns in Heaven—for your faithfulness, stick-to-it-iveness, humility and love.

5. I wish I could take each of you in my arms and give you a big hug. I'd tell you how much I appreciate you—you personally—and the wonderful job you're doing for Jesus in raising and teaching His children. But when we get to Heaven, I will. I'll want to meet each of you personally and tell you how much I admire you, and give you a whole heap of encouragement. I'm sure Jesus will do the same—and much more—and shower you with unprecedented rewards and blessings that will make every sacrifice worth it all. Every difficulty will pale when compared with the glory and honor He'll rain upon you.

6. This GN is something I've had the burden to work on for a long time now, and when I was praying about the timing of it, Dad suggested we do it as soon as possible, and said it was extremely important. In one of the messages, in which he said a lot of wonderful and encouraging things to you dear teachers and parents‚ he said: "I always considered our parents‚ teachers, and caretakers of the rulers of the future to be heroes in the Family. They're the little people who will make history through their sacrifices, their dedication, and their willingness to pour into the lives in their care day after day, week after week, year after year."

7. Peter and I wholeheartedly agree; we're so proud of you! We appreciate each one of you more than mere words could express, and we highly regard your great love for our precious children, and your dedication to teaching and training them to be the rulers of tomorrow and the hope of the future that they are destined to be.

The world of tomorrow is what the mothers of today make it, according to the way they raise their children (ML #1142:17, Vol.11).

8. When you read these beautiful messages of encouragement that Jesus has given for you, imagine that He's sitting beside you, telling you very personally how much He loves and appreciates you, and how very much your sacrifices mean to Him—because that's what He's doing in the spirit. He gives some beautiful encouragement to all of you parents and teachers, which I pray will spark a rekindled fire, joy‚ and inspiration in each of your hearts, with the renewed knowledge of how important your job is.

9. Then some new and specialized spirit helpers from Heaven have made themselves known to us‚ and they're eager to be activated by your prayers and calling on them. Our loving Husband also talks about the unseen rewards on Earth for those of you who have chosen the often thankless job of childcare and childrearing, which is then followed by some awesome insight into your rewards in Heaven, which you won't want to miss!

10. Relax now, dear parents and teachers‚ as you read these messages given especially for you! Enjoy these delicacies and tokens of love from Heaven, because you're deserving of all of this commendation and encouragement—and much, much more! You'll just have to wait a little longer for the "cherry on the top"—the heavenly rewards‚ honor, medals, and blessings—which will be yours real soon, in thanks and gratitude from our wonderful Husband to you who often feel insignificant and unworthy, but who are truly some of the greatest in God's Kingdom!

Love and admiration for your faithful and sacrificial care of our children,

Mama

FOR PARENTS AND TEACHERS

Creating Masterpieces and Scaling Mountains

11. (Jesus:) I have chosen you as vessels of humility, vessels of devotion‚ and vessels of dedication—you who humble yourselves to be Me for My children, you who forsake your lives, all that you have, all that you are, and walk as I walked on Earth, seeking first the Kingdom.

12. You feed My sheep who will feed the world for Me. You teach My sheep who will teach others for Me. You train My sheep who will train others for Me. You love My sheep who will love others for Me. You lay down your lives so that My diamonds of dust‚ the hope of My future, can sparkle and shine. You hold My future in your hands. I have bestowed a great honor upon you.

13. At times it may not seem like an honor but like the opposite—a drudgery, a drain, full of heartaches and heartbreaks, thankless, difficult, and demanding. I know it can sometimes be all these things. But these times, which the Enemy blows out of proportion and paints as the whole picture, do not portray the real picture, the masterpieces that I am working on through your hands, your eyes, your mouth, your ears, your very souls and bodies.

14. In teaching and educating and raising and caring for My children, you are creating masterpieces greater than the finest artwork on Earth—greater than the works of Michelangelo and all his tedious and detailed work on the Sistine Chapel; greater than all the works of Rembrandt; greater than all the works of any artist that ever lived. Your works are masterpieces of living art—not that which will be admired on pieces of canvas, or sculptures carved from stone, or on the walls of a great church. No, those works of art will pass away‚ but the work of teaching and raising and caring for My children will live on in their lives. For they are creations of My hand, made in My image, and you are the ones I have chosen to raise them in My nurture and admonition.

15. My nurture: You care for them for Me. You protect them for Me. You educate them for Me, teaching them My ways. Thank you, My nurturing brides, for loving Me so intimately as to allow yourselves to be used in such a fashion by My hand.

16. My admonition: You warn My children when they stray from My ways, advising and disciplining them in the spirit of My love. You are My brides who do not compromise‚ but stand up for the Words of truth and are true to your convictions, which you have learned of Me. Thank you, My brides of admonition, for staying true to Me and upholding My standard in the midst of a world that has forsaken it. When all is said and done and you come Home to Me to receive your heavenly reward, every minute of forsaking that you did on My behalf for My children will be compensated an hundredfold, and all the world will know of your love and service for Me.

17. Your job ahead is a mountain that for some of you may seem like Mount Everest, so high and seemingly impossible to reach the peak. The stories you have heard of those who have climbed this earthly mountain most likely are relatable to you. There are many parallels you can draw from what those who climb such mountains have experienced. In short, it's a work of their life. The true mountaineers train all their lives for their trek to the top. They plan every step carefully—the amount of equipment they'll need, the team they will travel with, the time of year they will travel, the food supply, etc., and they plot their course. Then they begin their journey. But no matter how well they have planned, unexpected conditions and circumstances that arise can add to the challenge, and they must rely on what they have learned for their decisions. Sometimes they find themselves in impossible situations and they risk their lives for the climb.

18. The physical and spiritual challenges you teachers and caregivers and parents of My children face on your journey are comparable to those of your worldly counterparts who scale the highest mountain peaks. But you have a definite advantage‚ the ultimate advantage, the advantage that ensures that you will reach your goal. You have Me as your Guide. You have the power of the keys of the Kingdom for any impossible situation you find yourself in. You have heavenly thought power for every aspect of your planning needs. You have full possession—Me in you. There truly are no alps to you, My loves. You are My extreme mountaineers!

19. Sometimes the mountains you climb aren't such a treacherous challenge. I am faithful to never give you more than you are able to bear. But what I love and admire about you is your yieldedness to scale the mountain of caring for, teaching and raising My children that I have for you. This is a great form of love that I receive from you that is very dear to Me—priceless and beyond earthly description. You are My brides who live My Words of love in 1Corinthians 13, who hold up love as the greatest thing in giving your lives to Me to care for My children. I love you. Great is your reward in Heaven. (End of message.)

When the day of rewards comes around and … we get our crowns and our stars, we're going to see some of the littlest people come up that we never heard of and never saw and never even realized existed to get some of the greatest crowns (ML #974:2, Vol.8).

My Dear Gardeners …

20. (Jesus:) I'm here checking on your "plant," the one that I mentioned needed some extra care. I'm seeing the progress. I see you there with your gardening tools. You have your work clothes on and are beginning to take action to do some of the things I mentioned to you. We sit here together to look at some of the leaves that are spotted and wilted. I hold your hand and tell you that you don't have to worry about the past, the neglect or lack of attention that has brought your plant to this state, because now all that matters is that you're taking action. Things will only get better now in some way.

21. I hold your hand and speak to your heart and tell you the specifics that are needed. Much watering is needed to restore its spunk. You'll need to clip off the branches that are causing the plant to be weakened, so the nourishment can help the healthy parts of the plant to grow and gain strength.

22. Sometimes when you look over and see how weak some parts of your little plant are‚ it causes you to turn away. You don't know if you have what it takes to care for it as you know it needs to be cared for. But then I remind you that you're not doing this alone—we're doing it together.

23. I see you struggling with all the other things that need to be done—the jobs in the house, the ministry to your neighbors, mowing the lawn, picking the fruit off the trees. You just feel there's no way you can keep up with it all. There are so many things that are pressing and that beg for your time and care in very evident ways, and it seems like this little plant can easily wait for your attention. But then I remind you that what now seems small will grow into a large tree—and faster than you think. It will be so large that all in the neighborhood will take notice of it and the way it has grown. The parts of it that now are neglected will be much more evident in the years to come. You know that if things aren't taken care of now, the tree that will always be a part of the plot of your life will leave you with many regrets.

24. When reflecting further on this now with Me‚ you determine to slot specific time in your day to tend faithfully to this young growing plant. No more will you just "wait till it works out‚" but you'll make it a part of each and every day—to check on it, to water it well, to prune it, to give it the light it needs. Before too long you'll see new growth in its branches, its leaves will smile, and you will have that certain fulfillment in your heart that you are tending to what is one of the most important parts of your garden.

25. Remember, I'm here for counsel, assistance, and always have the perfect solution to whatever comes up. And as you help this little plant to flourish, you'll find your own life more full of My joy as well. You'll find yourself growing and blossoming in new ways. Thank you, My dear gardener, for tending to each plant. Your love and care will bring you much joy in the end.

Love, Your Fellow Caretaker (End of message.)

Training a child is like painting a masterpiece (ML #715:23, Vol.6).

A Solid Foundation Will Stand

26. (Jesus:) "Suffer the little children to come unto Me, for of such is the Kingdom of God" (Mk.10:14). "Except ye be converted and become as little children, ye shall in no wise enter into the Kingdom of Heaven" (Mat.18:3).

27. I love children! Few people realize that I had several brothers and sisters, and as the oldest I often helped to care for and train them in My younger years. (See Matthew 12:46–50, 13:54-56.) And as I grew even older, into My teens, after My little adventure in the temple at Jerusalem, I helped to teach the scriptures to the younger boys of Nazareth‚ where Joseph and Mary could keep a better eye on Me than if I had been in Jerusalem, ha!

28. Many of those I taught were sitting in the audience the day that I read from Isaiah and told them: "This day has this scripture been fulfilled in your ears." And while many of the fathers sought to stone Me that day, many of their sons that I had taught the scriptures to soon sought Me out and became disciples, and were among the seventy that I sent forth.

29. There is great satisfaction in teaching a child the scriptures and the will of their Father in Heaven, and then watching that child go forth and preach it, teach it, live it, use it.

30. That will be your greatest reward as teachers and parents. Oh, don't get Me wrong. There are other rewards aplenty heaped up here for you and your labors of love. But all of them will pale in comparison to seeing the full effect of what your time, blood, sweat‚ and tears accomplished in the life of that child you helped to care for, to teach, and to raise. Your greatest joy, like My joy in welcoming each of My children Home‚ will be to see how that life you helped to guide onto the path of My will accomplished great and glorious feats in My Name.

31. The training you pour into children is never wasted. The time you give to them is invested in eternity. The truths you impart to them will be remembered in their hearts, and will be the foundation on which they build their life. What they build on it through their decisions, choices, and actions may stand or it may crumble. But that foundation will always be there, strong and unshakable‚ ready for them to build on again when they discover the works of their own hands have come to naught.

32. You cannot choose or control what they will decide to build with their life‚ but you can control the foundation that they will build on. That foundation will always be there, because it is a foundation built on the truth of My Word and the security of My love. It is the rock that this child will build their life on. And while what they choose to build may not weather the storms at first, the foundation will still stand‚ and they will be able to rebuild on it.

33. Whereas others, those who choose to give their children foundations that are not based on My Word, on My truth‚ are giving their children a foundation of shifting sand, and no matter how strong and ingenious a building those children build with their lives, it will come to naught. "For no other foundation can any man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ" (1Cor. 3:11).

34. So don't be discouraged if you see your child, when he or she starts growing up, start to build something that you know won't stand the test of time. It's not your responsibility to choose what they will build, though you can guide and counsel them if they will listen. But your job is only to lay the foundation firmly and solidly, and you do that by laying the foundation of My Word, the foundation of their Christian heritage, built on love, grace, salvation, forgiveness, mercy, faith, hope‚ joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness‚ meekness, temperance. That is something you can give them that no man will be able to take away from them, and that will be a part of their lives forever. (End of message.)

SPECIAL RECOGNITION FOR PARENTS

The Keys of Parenting

35. (Jesus:) My dear parents, My dear keepers of the flame, thank you! Thank you for preserving these precious pearls of Mine—our children. You preserve them by teaching and training them every day. Every day you are blessed through your children. You are blessed with much work in their care as you teach and train and raise them up in the nurture and admonition of My love and My Word. In this I am well pleased. Great is your reward now and in the days to come, as well as for all eternity!

36. Your job as a parent has required you to have great faith in shouldering this responsibility! But you have held on and stuck and poured into your children with a faithful heart—a heart of love. For this, I wish to reward and bless you. I wish to bestow upon you a gift of greater faith! This gift of even greater faith will cause you not only to keep on believing, not yet having seen the full reward of all the things which I have promised to you and to your children, but will also cause you to have the faith to press forward toward the mark of My high calling in your parenting.

37. Though you have reaped many joys while seeing your children grow up and learn, the best is yet to come. So keep on keeping on, and you will see the tangible manifestations of My promises.

38. I am pleased that you have believed and thus have remained faithful in training your children while waiting to see the full reward of all your labors of love. This has required great faith on your part. I have seen your tears, I have heard your prayers, and there will be a performance of those promises‚ the fulfillment of those promises—promises of greater power and of greater works.

39. You have been faithful with what I have entrusted to your care, and now I will bless you by giving you this gift of expanded faith. This special reward or bonus will enhance the progress that your children will make as you teach‚ train, and pour into them. This gift of greater faith is a special gift, which I give to you, My parents—an extra allowance of faith. You are rich in faith! Rejoice!

40. In this new era of faith and miracles, I will multiply your efforts many times over. So expect to see the effects of this increase of your faith. It is My gift to you, My faithful parents. Call on the power of the keys to help activate your new gift. It's all yours for the asking! Come to Me and ask Me of things to come concerning your sons and your daughters. I will answer. I will show you great and mighty things, which you know not. As you look to Me‚ I will teach you My ways and give you My wisdom.

41. I will give you more wisdom to not only teach and train your children, but to truly win them for Me as you activate the keys of parenting. The keys of parenting are yours now through this gift of greater faith. These keys will enhance your methods in the teaching of your children. These keys will help you to find the key to each child's heart. These keys will open the treasures of darkness for you as you use them and avail yourself of their power.

42. Through this special gift of faith you will be blind to impossibilities and you will see only the possible—faith that sees beyond the obstacles of today in order to lead My flock into green pastures; faith to believe the vision of things to come; faith to see in your children the leaders of tomorrow‚ whether or not you see the manifestations today; faith to act as though possessing the promise of the reward through your children. As you continue to live through your children and to give them of the "meat that does not perish‚" I will bless you and cause you to flourish like a beautiful rose garden.

43. Look unto Me and I will keep your vessel full to overflowing. Pour into your children regardless of the conditions, and you will be called blessed! I have chosen you for this special task. I have called you My parents. We‚ together, make a great parenting teamwork! Let us pray together, unite as one, and counsel together like never before about the care, training, and discipleship of our children—for truly they are My children in spirit, born as a result of our love together, and I care for them like none other! (End of message.)

Raising 100% Disciples!

44. (Jesus:) There wouldn't be enough gold medals to give you for the sacrifice and dedication that you have exhibited in raising your children. It's a job that never stops and is unlike any other job on Earth. It is unique. It takes love, faith, strength, dedication, patience, and dying daily to yourself. From the moment that another human being is dependent on you, your life completely changes. The very way that you think and react changes, because you're looking out for the life of your child that I have given you. And for this, I greatly commend you and will reward you, both in this life and in the next.

45. Just as the physical lives of your children and their protection and well–being depend largely upon you, so do the spiritual lives and minds of your children. You, as parents, have the greatest influence and control over the minds of your children and their spiritual lives. The actions that you do or do not take in these matters will have a lasting effect on them for the rest of their lives. So you must not get weary in this aspect of their training and growth, for the only way that they are going to become sold-out, 100% disciples for Me, is if that is what is instilled in them by you, their parents.

46. Of course, there are other influences in your children's lives—their teachers, their friends, others in your Home—but you, as their parents, play the most vital role in all aspects of your children's lives. They look to you like they look to none other, and even though they may not always act like it‚ they usually respect and take heed to what you tell them above anyone else. So you must continue to push forward in their spiritual lives and growth and the sample that you are to them. As you do your part, I will do My part of working in their hearts and minds and helping them to make the progress that they need.

Children are a big job, but with a big job comes a big reward, and with big responsibility comes lots of benefits (ML #1142:16, Vol.11).

47. I see your heart and know that above all you want the best for your children. You don't want to make mistakes in their upbringing, and you want them to be happy. I know this feeling, because it is the same way that I feel about you, My children. The best advice that I can give you is, if you ever don't know what to do or have questions, just come to Me. I will be more than willing and happy to answer any question that you have about your children. I will also be able to give you the encouragement that you need to go on.

48. I'm always here for you, ready to give you the answers that you need. So don't fail to call on Me. This will also be one of the greatest samples that you can impart to your children, for as they see you coming to Me with your questions, they will start coming to Me with theirs, and that is the greatest lesson that can be taught. (End of message.)

The Gift of Perseverance!

49. (Jesus: ) Little children, how I love them—how they are always close to My heart. And you, My dear parents who hold these little ones in your arms, who feel their hearts beat, who see their tears and weep with them, who feel their joy and laugh with them—to you, dear parents‚ I give a special gift.

50. I have already given you the gift of a child—or perhaps many children—who brings joy to your heart, a child to whom you will be a parent forever. The other gift I give you is the perseverance to carry on, to keep on loving no matter what, to keep giving when you don't know if you have anything left to give.

51. What is perseverance? Why is that such a gift? And why do parents in particular need it?

52. Perseverance is the ability to keep going in spite of problems or difficulties. And you parents know how much you need this gift, because day after day, week after week, month after month, and as you will soon find (for those of you who are new parents), year after year, you will encounter obstacles that you will need to overcome to proceed. Each time something comes up, you will need to make a choice about your actions. Will you let the obstacle overcome you, or will you fight to overcome it?

53. The power of the keys that I have given you will give you the strength to fight and overcome. Remember My promise: "Nothing can stand before the power of the keys of the Kingdom." Through the keys you will have the perseverance to keep going. Call out to Me! Claim the keys‚ and nothing will hold you back.

54. Keep going, My loved ones. Keep holding on. Keep fighting for the conviction and the faith to fulfill your important job. (End of message.)

One of these days the whole world and all Heaven and all Earth and all Hell are going to know who you are and what you did and how much you sacrificed and how hard you worked and how little thanks you got and how little appreciation, and then the Lord's going to show'm and tell'm! He sees now. "Your Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly" (ML #974:14‚ Vol.8).

Parenting Board in Heaven

55. (Jesus: ) Thank you‚ My dear parents, for being My hands and My feet! Thank you for using your skills and for giving your love as you parent our children.

56. I, and those in the spirit world, will lend you a helping hand—many hands to make your work lighter. How about that?! Just as you now have parenting boards there on Earth, I'm activating the "parenting board" in Heaven, too. I will give you all that you need for the important job of caring for and raising My little ones.

57. I will be chairing the "parenting board" in Heaven together with the Holy Spirit and a number of spirit helpers who are sitting on the board. We will have guests and others who will participate too. Your Father David was one of the first ones to volunteer to sit on the "parenting board"—not only because of his burden for this job and his expertise, but especially because of his love for the children! His love is what has made him such an expert on the subject. His love has reached the children. His love has also won you as his children. So call on the experts, okay?

58. It's a big deal right now in Heaven. There are a number of other participants who want to contribute on the "parenting board." Each of these specialists has some special insight on children—different gifts which will also be enhanced through activating the keys. These participants are faithful men and women of good report. There will be "new blood" infused. New inspiration will be generated through this wide spectrum of new participants. Pied Piper is one. He offered his participation, and we all agreed that his talent or gift of inspiration and praise would be a wonderful addition to the department.

59. As far as the actual members of the board, Helen Keller wanted to help. As you know, she overcame considerable physical handicaps, and she wanted to help because she has developed the gift of understanding—which is such an important quality when caring for children. She has learned a lot through being steadfast and through her determination to keep fighting. In learning to rise above, she overcame.

60. Seeing that Helen wanted to help on the board, Anne Sullivan also wanted to join. Her vision is to teach and train others. She particularly wants to help you who face obstacles with your children, just as she helped see Helen through many hurdles.

61. I wanted to give you a short glimpse or inside peek at all there is to come‚ so you can see and know for a fact that in your great task of parenting you are not alone in your fight! We are fighting for you and "you shall hold your peace."

62. I have been touched—in fact, moved—by your faithfulness, as well as by the fortitude you've shown in the face of this great challenge with the care and training of your children. I am well pleased. I will multiply your efforts and increase your gifts. The best is still to come! Are you ready? (End of message.)

SPECIAL RECOGNITION FOR TEACHERS

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63. (Jesus: ) When I speak of teachers, I am speaking about all of you teachers in the Family. There are all kinds of teachers—teachers of the Word, teachers of academics, teachers of witnessing, teachers of performing, teachers of home economics, and the list is endless. I'm not only commending you who teach the children the Word or who lead their devotions, while overlooking you who pour into the children the other vital aspects of their education.

64. All of you who are involved with children in any way are worthy of commendation—whether you teach the spiritual principles or the practical aspects of their education. I have gifted each teacher in a different way, and I bless all of you who pour into My children. There is not one specialized calling in the care of children that is higher than the other. In all that you pour into them—whether spiritual or practical—you are teaching them My ways, being a sample of My love, and guiding them aright.

65. If the children only had spiritual teachers, they would be lacking; if the children only had educational and academic teachers‚ they would also be lacking. Every teacher is needed, and all of the input that your children receive is an important part of their training! That means that you, dear teachers‚ who impart that training to them, whether it's primarily spiritual or primarily practical, are all equally as important and deserving of commendation. Each of you plays an important part in the guiding, raising, instructing, and education of My children. (End of message.)

End of text box.

A Gift and a High Calling

66. (Jesus:) Teaching children is one of My highest callings in life, yet one that so often receives little thanks. I wish to give thanks and gratitude to those of you who give of yourself day in and day out, making these little ones into the vessels of love that will pour out My love to others.

67. You've poured out your lives that others may live a life of service to Me. You have not thought of your own needs, wants‚ and desires, but have put your children first. I say "your children" even though I know that not all are your physical children. But because you have accepted and taken up the challenge to teach‚ train‚ educate, and to love them, this makes them your children as well.

68. It is a difficult job to teach and to train My little ones. You may begin to feel lost or that you are losing your identity and becoming more like a child, but do not fear this, for this is a gift! It is a rare gift to be able to see into the heart and mind of a child, to understand them and to be able to relate to them. To those of you who have accepted this calling, I have and will give you the gift to be able to relate to and understand children, for this is something that you will need to truly "make it" as a teacher and caregiver.

69. There are those to whom I have tried to give this gift, but when they saw the sacrifice that was needed and the forsaking that they would have to make in order to accept this gift, they chose not to. It is a high calling—and, yes‚ it is also a difficult one, for you must make your life their life, and you must be thinking of their needs all the time. For this I highly reward you. Words cannot express the gratitude that I feel toward those of you who have taken up this challenge, who not only take care of the children, but lay down your lives for them. If it were not for those of you who give of yourselves, these young ones would not grow up to know Me and have all of the practical education they need to serve Me.

70. Even now there are those who are in need of shepherding and teaching, who long for someone to show them the way to go. These young ones look to you as their role models. They see you and do what you do. They take on your faith and see My Word as you portray it. This is very taxing, for I too felt this way—that My every move was watched, judged‚ and followed. I could hardly get away from the multitudes in order to commune with My Father‚ yet I knew I must in order to have the strength to face the multitudes.

71. I can give you the strength that you need, the grace, wisdom and love during the quiet time that you spend alone with Me. When the weights seem too hard to bear, or the problems are mounting up and you feel as if you will be swallowed up, take your burdens to Me upon the wings of prayer, and you will be lifted up and over the mountains that you face. My arms are ever there for you to help you and to give you the strength, love, and encouragement that you need.

72. Through the keys of the Kingdom you have all the power, wisdom and understanding of all the sages of all ages at your beck and call. Through the gift of heavenly thought power you can have My mind at any time you need it, for in these days of testing you will need it. All the latest weapons are at your disposal to be used in the care and teaching of My little ones, for they are precious in My sight, and so are you.

73. I love you all, My faithful shepherds and teachers of My little lambs. Thank you! Thank you for taking up the challenge to care for, love, educate, and feed these little ones! Great will be your reward for all eternity, and the ones who will sing your praises the loudest will be those whom you cared for and gave your lives for. (End of message.)

You, as a teacher, affect eternity; no one can tell where your influence stops (MOP 26:9).

Every Sacrifice Repaid

74. (Jesus:) My shepherds and teachers who care for My little lambs, you are greatly honored and highly exalted in My sight. There is nothing you could ever do for Me that would please Me more. "The harvest is plenteous‚ but the laborers are few." Few are loving and sacrificial enough to do this job for Me, and so I love and reward you even more. It is not an easy job, but the rewards are great‚ and many, and varied—both now in this life and in My Kingdom to come, where you will rule and reign with Me as a result of all that you've gone through, the lessons you'll have learned, and the maturity you'll have gained.

75. There is no sacrifice that you could make for Me or for My little ones that will not be more than repaid when I greet you here, take you in My arms, and thank you for everything. And that's not all. Think of all the little lives that you touch now that will be forever indebted to you for raising them in My nurture and admonition, training them up in the way they should go, bringing them closer to Me, and educating them sufficiently so that they will have all that they need to serve Me. You may not notice the rewards there on Earth or think that those you cared for and taught are grateful, but you will see everything clearly down the road, and you will be happy, I promise you. (End of message.)

It Will Be Worth It All

76. (Jesus:) As I have said in My Word, those who pour into My children now—whether spiritually or practically—are way ahead in relating to people, and are learning some of the basics that will help them to rule the world in the Millennium. So don't let the Enemy cause you to doubt the value of your service to Me, for you are training the leaders and teachers of the future. Your influence will be carried forward to many generations yet to come.

77. I have called you and given you this special place of service. I have given you an opportunity to mold and shape the lives of the little children in your care. And though it may seem like a lot of work now and a never-ending cycle, in the days and years to come you will see the reward of your labors as those little ones grow into My disciples and become My leaders of the future.

78. This is part of your payoff, part of your reward. You get to see some of your reward on Earth. But it is only a very small part of your reward‚ for when you get to Heaven and you see the full payoff of your labors and sacrifice, you will be amazed at all that you have accomplished and how far your love has gone.

79. And that's not all: I'm preparing a place for you; I'm building your mansion. For every day you labor unselfishly and give of yourself, you are enabling Me to add to your reward in a big way. And when you get here and you see all that I have in store for you, you will then realize just how much it was worth it all. (End of message.)

The little folks, the unseen, the unheard and the unappreciated, they're going to get most of their reward There, because they sure don't often get it here! (ML #974:34, Vol.8).

My Master Sculptors

80. (Jesus:) To you, My teachers, My sacrificial brides, I give the highest commendation! Great is your reward in Heaven, and great are your rewards on Earth! You are My master sculptors, creating masterpieces from these soft, moldable pieces of clay‚ these little ones that you hold in your hands and fashion into the beautiful works of art I have planned for them to be. I know it's hard work, and you must give and give and give of yourself without end‚ but truly it's worth it‚ and the end result will speak for itself.

81. Thank you, My loved ones, for laying down your lives for others. No greater love has any man than this! You are at the top of My charts! Your work is as important as the work of My missionaries on the front lines winning souls for Me, for you are winning the souls of the children of love. You are—physically, emotionally, educationally, and spiritually—teaching and training those who will serve Me and win many more for Me in the days to come.

82. It's hard work, and I know you often don't receive the thanks and appreciation you deserve. But be not discouraged, My loves, for you have My utmost thanks and appreciation and devotion! I wish there were more of you—more who were willing to lay down their own lives that others may live and be fed and strengthened and nurtured in My admonition.

83. I commend you, My teachers and caregivers and lovers of My little ones—you are tops in My books and your rewards are great! In this world it may not seem so sometimes‚ but wait'll you see what I'm preparing for you in Heaven! It will be worth it all—all you went through to raise these little ones on Earth.

84. Your day is coming! There will be a great toast in Heaven at the Marriage Supper to all of you teachers and childcare workers! Your work and labors of love will receive great recognition, and I will highly honor each of you in My Kingdom to come, even as I do now. Each little one that you so faithfully poured into will come and bow before your feet and thank you for all you did to help them, to love them, to educate them, to teach and train them in the way they should go. Even the ones who temporarily went astray to follow the ways of the world will come to you and thank you for all that you gave to them, and tell you how much it helped them and meant to them. Many will line up to give you their love and thanks in that day!

85. But even now these little ones look to you with love in their eyes, for they know that you're here for them‚ and that you're here for Me, and that you're being an example of My love. So take heart and be inspired and encouraged, My loves! Your work does not go unnoticed! This work of love that you perform day in and day out is what keeps this Family going and growing and moving and rolling and increasing and bearing fruit unto Me! I love you, and need you, and appreciate you more than these few words can tell.

Your Lover and Master Teacher, Jesus (End of message.)

CHILDCARE SPIRIT HELPERS

Elysian: A Relay Projector and Image Conduit

86. (Vision:) I'm seeing this beautiful man. I know you don't typically describe men as "beautiful," but that's the word that comes to mind. He's perfect in form‚ very angelic and powerful looking. He's standing in front of me, a radiant smile on his face, his arms outstretched, and his feet slightly apart. He's standing as if "displaying" himself for some reason.

87. Now I see why … because inside his body or his outline, all these faces are taking form. I'm seeing multiple images of the happy faces of many children—our children! His form seems to act as a movie screen of some kind, and I'm seeing clips of many of our children, one after the other. He appears to be able to translate these images through his body.

88. Now he's slowly turning around and I'm seeing the back of his form. But this time‚ instead of seeing images of children, I'm seeing images of these same children as young men and women, and it appears to be the future. Judging by the scenes I'm seeing, they're engaged in fiery battle against the Enemy and clearly emerging as victors! Thank You Jesus!

89. It seems that through the body of this spirit being I'm seeing what our children are destined to be and do. It's as if I'm seeing both their potential and the wonderful fulfillment of all that the Lord has promised they would do and be for Him. So this spirit helper's form acts not only as a projector of these images of our children in the present, but he also acts as a looking glass into the future. So amazing!

90. (Spirit being:) I am here for each and every one of you teachers, caretakers and parents of these young children of David.

91. Great are each of you in the eyes of us all. And great, close to, and known intimately by our Teacher and Master are each of you. For as you know, our Master was and always will be a teacher—the great and awesome Teacher of us all. He knows the joys, the highs, the thrills and satisfaction of His job. But He also knows the challenges‚ the battles‚ the weariness of the flesh, and the discouragement that can so easily beset those who walk this high road of faith.

92. The need for your encouragement and continued commitment to this calling is great. The need for your continued resoluteness to this vital calling is growing greater by the day, so in His great love and foresight‚ I have been created to help meet this need. I am here for each one of you. I am available to all who desire and ask for what I can give you, and what I can allow you to see.

93. You have but to call on the power of the keys‚ then call my name—Elysian—and I will be that channel. I will be that relay projector and image conduit who can help you see that child or children in your care through His eyes. I will lift your eyes and spirit out of today and into tomorrow—the tomorrow He knows you need to see—in order to help you see that child and what he is to become through our Master's eyes.

94. That "tomorrow" may not be five years or even 10 years from now. It may not even be 20 years from now. But you can rest assured a "tomorrow" is there for each one of your children. It may not even be in this life, for as some of you have experienced firsthand, some of your little ones have chosen other paths. But their "tomorrow" will come! That's an infallible promise—one that cannot be broken. For your children are His, and always will be, and sooner or later their destiny will be fulfilled. But your reward remains the same. Your reward is already written in the great books in the annals of Heaven. It is sealed; it has already come to pass. It is now, it is forever, it is there regardless of all else.

95. You see, your reward is unconditional; it cannot dim or fade with time, or even the choices of your children. It is a "done deal" as far as our Lord is concerned. All that remains is for you to continue to see beyond today to tomorrow—the tomorrow that our Master knows is there for each of His children. So whenever that vision and promise of tomorrow is fading fast from your sight under the duress and weariness of today, call on His help, call on the power of the keys, and ask for me. You have but to ask for me by name and I'll be there for each of you, to show and give you whatever you need to restore your vision and commitment to this sacrificial calling that so few have chosen to follow.

96. I will help you focus on tomorrow and the wonderful destiny that lies before the little ones in your care. I will lift your spirit out of the trying days, the days when your patience and love are tested to the limit, the days when your vision seems dim and faint. I have been created to help fill that need, to help rekindle your vision, to stir your vision and translate your spirit and courage into the future and all that will come to pass.

97. So whenever your courage is ebbing, ask for my help, and I'll be there to show you the marvels of the future and all that our wonderful Love and Savior will do through that little one or that group of little ones—all because of your remaining faithful to the vision and calling He has bestowed upon you.

98. You see, faithful custodians of the future, what you invest will never return void. That's a promise that can never be broken, no matter what. You will receive a return on your investment that is beyond your comprehension. Right now it's often beyond your earthly eyes, but if you desire to see, if you believe you can see, you will see. All you have to do is call on the keys and their revelatory power, believe that you can see, ask to see, and I will relay to you images, visions, pictures and messages—through His awesome power—that will once again set your heart, spirit, and vision reeling! (End of message.)

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99. (Question: ) Can Elysian help everyone who calls on him?

100. (Jesus: ) Elysian can help all the children of David to see with the eyes of faith what their children will become in the future. It is a big job, but those given big jobs are granted great powers, and that is the case with this one, who has been in existence since days of old.

101. Elysian has been in existence many thousands of years as you measure time, and in the days of the ancient Greeks his power was apparent as well, to the point that his name became an adjective for that which was heavenly or blissful.

102. The ancients got many things wrong concerning their gods and goddesses, who were often good or evil spirits, but they did often get the names right. They had a sensitivity to things of the spirit, to matters of the spirit world, that I used to prepare men and women for My coming on Earth. In a similar manner, your own sensitivity to the beings of the spirit world prepare both you and many others in the world for My coming—My second coming, in this case. (End of message.)

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The Ilantri: Commissioned to Parents and Teachers

103. (Vision: ) I'm having all these flashes of when I was a child—pictures of my parents and my teachers, and everyone who took time to teach me. It's like a replay of my childhood, starting from the time I can remember‚ and it even includes things I don't remember. But the person in those flashes is definitely me as a child. The flashes are of me being cared for by one of my parents, or a teacher, or an older brother or sister. I feel very loved, comforted, and indebted by what I see.

The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world! (ML #389:25, Vol.3).

104. The first flash is before I'm born. My parents are praying for me, that the Lord will give them a child. Subsequently my mom got pregnant‚ and the next picture is of her with a large pregnant stomach already praying for me‚ dedicating me to the Lord.

105. Following that is when I'm a toddler. I'm curled up asleep in my dad's arms and he's stroking my hair. He's praying that he will be the father that I need; he's also praying for my future, what I will do and become for the Lord.

106. Next I see my older sister teaching me to read, patiently giving me the opportunity to learn at my own pace. Every time I learn something new she is so happy, which makes me happy and more eager to learn. Her encouragement motivates me to learn. I see the teachers who became a part of my life as I grew older. I feel so much love and care.

107. The last flash is of me as a young adult, being taught something new in my work by someone who's more experienced in the job, and I feel the same concern, inspiration, and desire to help me learn something new.

108. I'm not seeing these flashes as I would've in the physical realm. I'm seeing each person teaching me, each parent loving and praying for me, each effort on someone's part to help me learn, and that person is surrounded in a glow. From the glow emanates the calmness, peace‚ love‚ and patience that all teachers and parents need. It's not clear, but the glow is coming from someone else other than the teacher or parent. It's the form of a person outlining or silhouetting their own, and giving off this bluish glow, though the glow seems to change in color depending on what emotion the parent or teacher needs.

109. I catch a wisp of the silhouette glow … it's a spirit helper. I hear the following in a voice that sounds much like a passing breeze—soft, caressing‚ almost musical.

110. (Spirit helper: ) We are a special breed of spirit helpers, designed with a unique purpose—that of helping all teachers and parents. You've seen us as wispy, multi-colored glows encasing a teacher or parent, for we are created to enter the spiritual dimensions of a person's body, so that our very fibers are linked.

111. (Vision:) I see one of them. They are more like a wisp of smoke than a human form. The top of their body is like ours. They have beautiful, large eyes, penetrating, as if they could see right through someone. They have large mouths as well, and they're smiling. From the waist down they are as a trailing wisp of smoke‚ transparent‚ flowing. They have long arms that can enwrap the largest man. Every breath is clearly visible with the heaving of their chest, and what is very peculiar is that I can see their heart within them. It beats steadily, in sync with every breath they breathe, and is larger than a normal heart would be‚ at least double the size, maybe triple.

112. They speak … well, it's not really speaking‚ as they don't use words; rather the emotion of what their hearts beat is expressed through their breath. It is not a different language, but a completely different way of communicating. It sounds like someone exhaling air, and they seem to breathe into the ears of those they are helping and influencing, and from their mouth comes a bluish-red vapor.

113. (Spirit helper continues: ) We are the Ilantri. Our commission is to all parents and teachers. Our hearts are infused with the love God feels for each child. It beats within us and we breathe this divine love, care, and skill into those whom we are sent to help.

114. The struggles of raising and caring for a child are many, and this is why God created us—an elite force of spirit beings: the Ilantri. We are sent to fill your hearts with the inspiration of teaching. We bring ideas. We bring love. We bring practical know-how. We know the hearts of those who teach and those who are taught, for this is our gift, our calling—the purpose for our creation.

115. In those times when you are faced with the difficult task of caring for your child or teaching another's child‚ when your inspiration and enthusiasm has run low, when you question your calling in life and when you are discouraged by the struggles and problems, remember that we are here to give you all that you need. Our arms are wrapped tightly about you, filling your heart, body, mind, and spirit with the love, help, insight‚ concern, and skill that you need.

116. The gifts of our creation are yours for the asking. We know no purpose other than to serve you. This is our design, our reason for existing—to help you. (End of message.)

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117. (Question: ) In the vision, the Ilantri were breathing and their hearts were beating. I'm curious why a spirit being would need to breathe or have a heart that beats.

118. (Jesus:) I have the power to create My angels and spirit beings as I desire, and usually their characteristics, or at least how I allow them to appear to you, are a representation of their power or their realm of service. Tola and Tor revealed themselves as made of gold, which symbolizes their great strength and power and the priceless gift of the keys. Archer has a bow and powerful arrows to show you his skill and accuracy in cutting the demons to the heart.

119. These beings, My Ilantri, show you their hearts, which are larger than normal, as a symbol of their power—how they have an extraordinary amount of love for children, and are commissioned to fill you with the same. If I can give you, My earthly children, hearts that beat, can I not also give such a thing to My spirit helpers, whether or not they need it to sustain life as you on Earth do? (End of message.)

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Espitia: Keeper of the Keys for the Children

120. (Spirit helper:) My name is Espitia and my mission is manifold. I am the keeper of the keys for your children. I am an intercessory prayer warrior who pleads the cause of the children before the throne of God. I have a personal connection with each of your children from birth until puberty. I know what goes on in their hearts‚ in their minds, and with their spirits. I know what turns their key, what they need, what gets through to them, how they can best learn, what they fear, and how to best care for them. I carry the prayers from their hearts to Heaven. I wield the keys on their behalf. I carry within me every true word of counsel or instruction on the care of children that has been uttered since the beginning of time.

121. Call for my help and I will aid you as you care for, teach, and train the little ones. I will give you inspiration‚ ideas, and counsel. I will help you to discern what is in their hearts and what they need. Call for my help and I will fight for you when you are weary, when you are overwhelmed. I will pray for you and send helpers to your side to aid you in whatever you need. Call for my help when you feel you are not getting through to the children, and I will speak, move, and work through you.

122. When a spirit is sent to be born as an earthling, that spirit is accepting vulnerability, entering a world geared to grown-ups. Childhood is a crucial step in the development of a life, and thus they must go through years of dependence on others and having to be cared for, years of being immature and undeveloped‚ of being seen as more than a baby or a toddler but not yet a full person who thinks and understands—less than complete or whole. I pray for parents and caregivers who will see the important responsibility, who will love them and care for them and treat them as the people that they are, trapped and bound to the little bodies and developing earthly minds.

Taking care of children is probably the most important job there is, molding their little lives and teaching them every day (ML #1142:19‚ Vol.11).

123. I cannot tell you how many who accept the call to Earth must endure being misunderstood and being a source of frustration to those who look at them as a job of little importance and would rather be somewhere else. This breaks my heart, as it breaks theirs, and moves me and my team with desperation to do all that we can to be their protectors, to help others to look into their spirits and see what they need and what they're trying to communicate.

124. Our mission is an important one, and because of that‚ we've been given unlimited access to the power source of Heaven to intervene, to inspire, to direct, to help, and to do whatever needs to be done. When you pray and call for our help, it allows us to involve ourselves to an even greater level. Call on me, and on all of us who have given our lives and our will to the cause of the children‚ and to those who touch their lives and mold their future.

125. Take care that when you call on us, you call out of a sincere desire for help. Many have called on Heaven's help in the hope that it would mean less work for them, or because they didn't want to make the effort to connect with the children themselves. If you call on us out of a heart of love for the children, the power that we have is increased, and our ability to help you is limitless. Claim the keys, call on us, and you will notice the difference in every aspect of your care of the children and in the children themselves. (End of message.)

While you're taking care of those children, you're helping God's Kingdom come on Earth! (ML #746:65, Vol.6).

Bill "Bojangles" Robinson: Inspirationalist

126. (Bill "Bojangles" Robinson:) Bet you all never thought in a million years that I'd be helpin' the Family! What's an ol' hoofer like me got to do with helpin' you all out?

127. Well, the Lord's been good to me. He's granted me the desire of my heart. I wanted to help the neediest and the worthiest of all causes. I wanted to help where it counts the most—and that's right here, right where I am.

128. I had my times when I lived down there, my good days and my bad days—days to do good and help others, and a few days‚ here and there, I admit it, were for shenanigans. Not much, just a little now and then. Now I know better‚ though—nope, no more gambling for me. I only bet on the sure thing now. I only put my time and effort in the real thing. And that "sure thing" is you—the Family!

129. I've got me the best job a man, or a spirit, could ever want—somethin' really worthwhile. Somethin' I can sink my teeth into. Somethin' more than worthwhile. It is the most worthwhile thing I can think of—helping you teachers and parents in the Family teach and train the leaders of the future. What more could I want? Nothin' more worthwhile than the children, and nothin' more worthwhile than the Family children—the leaders of Kingdom come!

130. For the sake of you who don't know me, you can call me Bo for short—Bojangles is the name. Some of you might recall the ol' black fella who couldn't keep his feet still. I'm that ol' hoofer from way back—that's me. Let's see, I made a movie here and there. You know that ol' Negro butler who played opposite of Shirley Temple—improvisin' up a storm? That was my thing back then. I was a master at improvisin'. That ol' tap man—that's me.

131. Yep, just as I thought, some of you are wonderin' what an ol' rascal like me could possibly be doing helpin' you out. Plenty! Shucks, that's just one of the many roles I played down there on Earth‚ those ol' movies—but I got the rhythm. The good Lord blessed me with rhythm and a gift to inspire others, to motivate others! He put the soul in me and I just had to let it rip! Was nothin' of me, really. It was, and is, all the Lord!

132. Think on that a bit, and you'll realize I have somethin' to offer you. Mind you, I've been up here in Heaven for a good while now, and what I lacked down there on Earth‚ I've learned up here. Matter of fact, since the day I arrived here, back in 1949, Earth time, my entire training up here has been to prepare to help you Family teachers and parents right now, today—in these last years. The good Lord knew what I'd be happiest at. He shore knows how to pick the man for the job!

133. Yep, there's plenty I can do to help you out. I've already helped you plenty, but now‚ if we get to know one another in a more close up and personal manner‚ if you would do me the kind favor of callin' on me for help‚ I'd be able to do much more! What? You want to know what? What can I possibly do to help ya out? Come on! I'm on the inspirationalist team—and at your service. My portfolio has a dual purpose. I'll help not only you parents and teachers with inspirational ideas on how you can keep a step ahead of your young ones, help you out with ideas on how you can keep your young ones on the upswing, inspired and motivated‚ but I'll also help the kids. That's my payoff, to help the kids directly, not only by inspiring them, but challenging them to do more—to move forward, to keep at it. I'll help you challenge them, and I'll help them too.

134. I'll help keep everyone inspired. I'll help you teach the kids to stick to it, to stick to a thing until it's done, to discipline themselves to reach higher goals. Oh boy, when you got a job to do—not sometimes, but most the time—it's just plain ol' hard work. There's somethin' to be said for "practice makes perfect." If there's anything I know about, it's practice, stickin' to it, and hard work, settin' your goals and reachin' those goals. And, of course, that "the show must go on!" Even if you have to smile through those tears and keep goin', "the show must go on!" And you can apply this to everything in your life, not just performing—though that's important when you're witnessing—but in everything you do. "The show must go on!" You've just gotta keep goin' and not quit.

135. You in the Family, of all folks, ought to know that, and I'm here to help you do it, to inspire both the teachers and the kids to keep at it, to keep on goin'‚ keep workin'‚ keep practicin' at whatever it is you need practicin' at, to improvise when necessary, and to not quit. Improvisin' … that's a very important part of your Family life. Today you might call it "go with the flow." Oooooh, how I love to improvise. Yep, you just call on me and I'll help you out on those scores.

136. And don't forget enthusiasm—that's the name of the game. I'll help you inject enthusiasm in everything you do! Without it, you might as well "hang it up" right now. When you feel you need a boost, ask me to help you—and I'll inject you with a little enthusiasm! And I'll show you how to stay pumped up with the enthusiastic fever! When you're feelin' things are gettin' dry, lackin' life, gettin' dull, losin' the shine, call on my help. The good Lord's blessed me with a way to make folks smile, to spread the cheer, to help infuse a little spunk in everything you do and say, a little soul!

137. And don't forget, naturally, that I'm here to especially help the kids themselves with their witnessing and performing. If you don't mind me sayin' so, I have a bit of experience along those lines. I'll help'm with their boldness, inspire'm and show'm how to inspire the crowds and motivate the people. That's my bag! There's no business like show business, and you Family folk are the Lord's showcase to the world. Just call on me, Mr. Billy Bojangles Robinson, here 24/7 at your service. I never sleep now. I live to help you, 'cause you are the greatest show on Earth, folks! (End of message.)

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Bill Robinson (1878-1949) quit school at age seven and began work as a professional dancer the following year. Bojangles (the name referred to his happy-go-lucky ebullience) starred in vaudeville‚ musical stage and movies. He was considered one of the world's greatest tap dancers and became famous for his "stair dance," which he claimed to have invented on the spur of the moment when he was receiving an honor from the King of England. The King was standing at the top of a flight of stairs, and Bojangles' feet just danced up to be honored.

Bojangles was also known for his ability to run backward (he set a world's record of 8.2 seconds for the 75-yard backward dash), and to consume ice cream by the quart.

His film debut was in Dixiana (1930). He worked in 15 movies‚ but his movie fame came primarily from the films he made with Shirley Temple—The Little Colonel (1935), The Littlest Rebel (1935), and Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm (1938). In 1989 the U.S. Congress named his birth date, May 25, as National Tap Dancing Day.

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EARTHLY REWARDS

The Hidden Benefits!

138. (Jesus:) The greatest reward that is given to you who give your lives to teaching and training My little ones, sacrificing yourselves for the sake of others, is the reward of knowing that you are pleasing Me, that you are fulfilling My will‚ that you are bringing joy to My heart through your investment in the future. It is the reward of godliness. Godliness with contentment is great gain. There is no reward like the fulfillment that comes to your heart when you know you are within the center of My will. There is no peace so complete as the peace that I give to you who have yielded to My calling of being parents and teachers.

139. One of the most valuable rewards of parenting and teaching is the love that you receive in return from the children. Sometimes when you're around children all the time you can tend to take this love and admiration for granted; but there are many who are alone, who are childless, who ache inside for this purest form of love and acceptance—love that only a child can give. Some of you can remember the first time that feeling of love touched and overwhelmed you; or a time when you had to be apart from your children, or all children, and you felt an emptiness while missing them. Their love indeed brings a priceless touch to life‚ and those who do not experience this love often ache for it—or if they don't‚ they really don't know what they're missing.

140. A spiritual gift and benefit that comes to the caretakers of children is that the fruits of the spirit develop more fully in your lives than in the lives of many others. You are in a sense required to learn love, joy, peace‚ gentleness, longsuffering, faith, goodness, meekness, temperance—and then some—because of the tiredness, the frustration, the tests, the trying of your patience and character. But in return, these wonderful qualities, spiritual virtues unequaled by any others‚ spring up in your lives.

You childcare workers are doing one of the most important and tremendous jobs in our whole ministry, as well as one of the toughest and most trying and difficult! (ML #318C:97, Vol.3).

141. I would that all would strive to obtain and hone and develop these gifts, but many do not take the time or have the patience to cultivate them. But you who work with children must seek them and develop these gifts, and this in turn develops your characters and spirits. It better prepares you for other challenges of life. It makes you strong, able to help bear the burdens of others. It makes you a person that others feel they can count on‚ can trust, and feel at peace with. This is a beautiful and wonderful spiritual reward.

142. Not least of the spiritual rewards for those who care for the young ones is the joy of seeing them grow and of knowing that you played a part in making them what they are. You don't always have the chance to see this in the life of every child you work with, as with some you only care for them for a relatively short time, or at some point they grow up and leave home—or leave home before they're grown up—and you don't have a chance to see the "finished product." But for the most part, within the lifetime of each dedicated parent or teacher, I allow you at some point or several points to experience seeing the fruits of your labors—seeing your own child after they've left home and grown up and started a family; seeing a child who you took care of years ago now a mature disciple serving Me; or the smaller joys like the wonderful experience of a breakthrough with a child you've been teaching, whether in reading or other skills and scholastics, in behavior, or in their interactions with others. Those little joys of progress and development are My gifts to you.

143. There are those who work day in and day out, putting in long hours, and who are never blessed with seeing the results and fruits of their labors, much less blessed with the "human touch" of love and appreciation that comes from a child. Most children are so open about their appreciation and love, and that's a wonderful and beautiful thing, a treasure. Of course children are also usually very open about their aches and pains, their complaints and grievances, and all that—and often it seems that these far outweigh the tender and loving moments. But it's still worth it for those moments, and those moments are more than many others have in the way of love and admiration and appreciation. It's worth the sacrifices even if just for that personal touch, that human interaction, that sincerity of communication that comes from a close bond of love with a child.

144. Children speak their minds and hearts openly and frankly, and that's a gift and ability that is often lost as people grow up. It's rare to experience any sincerity like that of a child. Enjoy that sincerity‚ that simplicity, that openness. It's a beautiful gift. It's a reward. (End of message.)

Whatever this life and this world has to offer, it's only for a little while. But salvation, souls, children, and service for the Lord are forever; they are eternal (ML #1617:33, BOF).

Blessings with the Territory!

145. (Jesus:) Teaching and parenting are sacrificial callings, but I give you blessings and rewards that I don't necessarily give to others. There are so few with such love and sacrificial spirits, that I want to give you abundant blessings in order to encourage you and let you know how much I love you. You teachers and parents have something that no one else in the Family has—the blessings that come with the territory.

146. Children give you that inner reward when you see the victories in spite of the tests. Children can touch your heart and lift it, convict it, soften it, and encourage it like no others can. Have you ever felt down and discouraged, and a little child does something that gives you new hope? Children have a way of reaching right inside you and taking your worries away. The faith of a little child is powerful. It's a gift of God. And as you teach them, you partake of that gift and it becomes part of you.

147. As adults, sometimes it's easy to lose sight of My promises, but children trust and hold Me to them. They expect Me to do miracles. Adults have to struggle with the cares of the world, but children are purer in spirit and have simple faith. You who minister to children are constantly being refreshed by their faith, reminded of My promises‚ My ability to supply, and My power to answer prayer. Children help to keep your spiritual life on course, and remind you to tune in to Me. Just like people who've had a spiritual experience with Me and their lives are bettered as a result, so are your lives blessed and bettered as you partake of your children's spirits. And the younger ones, those who have most recently been with Me, still carry many of the blessings of Heaven that enrich your lives.

148. As teachers you're concerned that whatever you teach is true and accurate, that the spiritual principles you impart—even if you focus on teaching scholastics—are according to My Word. It's My way of keeping you stirred up in the spirit‚ and I do this not only for the children's sake, so that you're prayerful and desperate to teach them the right things, but also as a blessing to you. Such desperation and prayerfulness keeps you close to Me, and through this closeness I'm able to speak to you and train you for the days to come. I will further use this training in the Last Days.

149. It's you‚ My precious teachers and parents‚ who I am trusting to be prayerful, desperate, and devoted to My standard. Who better could I choose to help lead the battles in the Last Days than you who know how to give beyond the call of duty, who have learned to stick close to the standard, and who will seek Me constantly for My answers and live in My Word for strength, and who will die daily that others might live?

150. You're training your children today so that they can carry the torch in the days to come‚ but I'm also training you for those days when I'll use you like never before. You might not feel very spiritual or more blessed, but you're fulfilling My will and a very important calling, and in the process you're becoming what I will need you to be in the Last Days. When the day comes, it's you who I'll call upon to carry out many of My specialized tasks of great importance.

151. Hold fast to your profession, My dear ones, and let no man take your crown, for the rewards are greater than you can imagine. You're working toward a future that is better than anything you could dream of! (End of message.)

HEAVENLY REWARDS

High Rank and Honors!

152. (Jesus:) In Heaven, all the "fruit" that was passed from one heart to another heart, and then on to another, and another, and another—all the paths that one piece of "fruit" traversed from the original heart—will be laid out graphically for all to see.

153. For you‚ parents and teachers, there is a specific reward or gratification‚ and that is that pieces of your actual personal heart will be identifiable in all of the thousands—and in some cases millions—of hearts that your one heart affected. In other words, as you go about your lives in Heaven, you might come across somebody in the far reaches, and you will see your insignia inscribed in that person's heart! That person may be a king, or a queen, or a ruler, or it may just be an average person of Heaven, but as you look at the person's heart you will see your very own insignia or emblem inscribed upon it, giving you entrance into that person's heart and into that person's reward!

154. It will be unfathomable, the infinite rewards that are available and online for access to each parent and teacher. Oh, if you only knew! If you only knew the literal millions of rewards that are accessible to you for the pieces of your heart that you sowed in the children you ministered to. Literally every piece of "fruit," good work, or good deed that a child does in his life is marked with the insignia of his parents and teachers, and so the rewards brought in by those fruits, good works, or good deeds are all available for access by the parents and teachers.

155. You may say, "Well, that must be the same for anyone who ministers to anyone in any way—that their fruits carry on and are thus accessible for the originating persons." But the difference is centered around the phrase that "humility is love." And by humbly taking the seemingly lower seat of ministering to children, where there is usually not any occasion for pride to be a motivating factor in the ministration, consequently the parent and teacher are building up stronger reserves of love. That means they have more of Me.

156. I am the energy and life force that powers the Kingdom of Heaven, and those here who have ministered to children emanate My Spirit beautifully, because they are so full of love. In taking on the task of ministering to them, they were given My love force to fill the parts where pride may have inhabited them or others who did not have the humility to take on that ministration. So really, the bottom line is more of Me. And in Heaven, that is the reward of choice and what everyone wants. Those who have an abundant supply of My love force are looked upon with great honor and dignity.

157. They are able to go places that others cannot get into because they don't have the equivalent honors upon their shoulders. Doors open in Heaven for those that have the proper rank, and My parents and teachers in the Family all have high rank‚ simply because of their putting someone else first from the word go. High rank and honors are theirs, simply because they have chosen a high calling, and I reward those who have done so. It's like having a certain rank, as a military general would have upon his shoulders or hat. Or it's like having a name tag embedded with the highest of codes‚ so that when you come upon a special place in My Kingdom, the doors automatically recognize that entrance is approved and they open before you.

158. So by honoring My children on Earth and putting them first above yourself or your own aspirations, I honor you and put you first when you arrive here. It's as simple as that! (End of message.)

Recognition Before All!

159. (Vision:) I see a big beautiful room in Heaven; it must be hundreds of feet long. There are beautiful columns along the side with flowers spiraling up them. I'm looking down toward the end of the room now and I see a throne, a magnificent throne that looks like nothing that you see here on Earth. Jesus is sitting on the throne, and there are people from all walks of life coming up to Him and receiving various rewards from Him. Then down the aisle walk a man and woman—they look so humble, so amazed to have even been called to come up and receive an award. But as they near the throne and the front of the room where Jesus is, He stands up from His throne as if the guests of honor have arrived.

160. (Jesus: ) Behold My faithful ones, caretakers of My sheep, My little ones. Did I not say when I was on Earth that "if you love Me‚ feed My sheep"? I said that three times in a row‚ because it was something very important that I wanted to stress to all: That if you really and truly love Me, the best way you could show your love for Me was in caring for My sheep‚ in feeding My lambs. I wasn't just talking about the lost sheep in the world you witness to—and indeed, those who give their lives to reaching My lost sheep will be bountifully rewarded, for it is a high calling and an honor. I was also speaking of the children, the sheep of your own flocks, that I entrust into your care.

161. These have shown their deep love for Me by giving their all, their lives for My sheep, My little ones. It has been a job with many sacrifices. They haven't been out there blazing the trails, pioneering countries, or doing things the world hears of, but they have been faithful day after day, month after month, and year after year, pouring out to My little ones.

162. These faithful brides of Mine will not just receive one reward for their life on Earth for Me, but they will receive numerous rewards!

163. (Vision: ) Then Jesus places golden chains about their necks—not just one, He places many. They're sort of like the honors or badges given to someone in the army‚ where the entire front of their jacket is covered with medals for bravery, etc.

164. (Jesus continues:) These rewards are for the lives of those they not only brought to Me, but who they taught and spent years of their lives bringing to Me, for each child that they had in their care and who they poured into and gave their life for. For each of the works for Me that these children have done, I reward and bless those who have taught them.

165. Great blessings and rewards go to those who sacrificed their own desires, who put aside their own plans and programs and stuck to the job that I had given them of being Me to My little ones, who played Me for My children by giving them My love, My truth‚ and My Words. I will now use these in a way that they have never dreamed of. I will use the training and lessons that these have gone through and learned to help Me rule the world, to help Me to teach and train millions who need to hear about Me. I will use these as shepherds of My flocks. (End of message.)

Nothing is more important than God's children and their care, for they are His Kingdom! (ML #315:30, Vol.3).

A Massive Celebration and a Special Seal!

166. (Jesus: ) I honor you, My parents and teachers, and when you get to Heaven I'm going to celebrate your sacrifices, your deeds of love, your willingness to serve and care for My children.

167. When we are all together in Heaven, there will be a massive celebration, an elaborate feast in your honor, My Family teachers and parents. It is My plan to honor every parent, every teacher, and every caregiver in a very personal way. We will gather together in My grand auditorium, and I will give honor to whom honor is due. All of Heaven will know who is being honored and why. All of Heaven will pay you their respect. I will lavish My praise and love upon you!

168. There will be dishes served from My heavenly kitchen. The menu will be exquisite‚ the food delectable, and the wine unearthly. The service will be exemplary, and you will be waited on as kings and queens. Each person will be served dishes specifically cooked to their preference. The food that would satisfy you personally‚ your favorite choice, will be set before you. Each plate will be different, each guest served according to his choice. I know each one's heart, each one's likes and favorites, and what I serve will be more perfect to your taste buds and your soul than anything you might ever imagine.

169. Over the course of the feast, which will be quite extended, there will be entertainment and presentations of the finest kind. My heavenly musicians will play songs in your honor, singers will sing, and My poets will recite My appreciation praises to you. Dancers will perform in our midst‚ and flashbacks and real-life movie scenes from Earth will play before all—acts of love‚ acts of care, sacrificial deeds, all done for My children—in honor of you, My teachers, parents, and caregivers.

170. Then there will be speeches made by those whose lives you've touched. There will be representatives from those you helped to care for, those you poured into, those children you sacrificed for. They will stand before all and tell of their gratitude, of how you made an impact on their lives, and how thankful they are, and always will be, for your sacrifices on their behalf, for your love for them. There will be many tears of joy shed during this time, for it will be a feast of love and appreciation such as your mind could never fathom and your heart could never dream of. All those attending will be touched and honored in a very personal way.

171. And to close the evening, I Myself will give a message of gratitude‚ appreciation, honor and reward. This will be unlike anything you have ever heard before, unlike any commendation I give you on Earth. I cannot tell you the details, for it is reserved for Me to know, and as a surprise to share with you on that day. But know that I will be on bended knee, and it will be My time to give thanks and honor to you. When you hear My Words‚ you will know that everything you ever sacrificed in the care of My children was worth it all.

172. Then I will go around to each of you, placing a special gift in the right side of your chest, just beneath your collarbone. It will be like a tiny diamond, placed just beneath your skin, that will shine with the greatest brilliance. This will be a mark in you for all eternity, showing My gratitude, My honor. At any time you can choose to have this hidden from the eyes of others and only known to you, or you can allow it to shine and sparkle so that others will see and know that you were honored by Me.

173. It's a beautiful mark, like a special seal, that you'll bear for all eternity—a mark of honor for caring for My children on Earth, a jewel of great price that will be a part of you forever. It's a living jewel, connected to Me and joined with you. And after I place it in you‚ you will learn more of its purpose and the rewards I will give you through it. But I'll tell you this much now: It's a reward that you will benefit from. It's not just a symbol of My love and honor, but it will also bring you many blessings along the way.

174. I don't want to tell you too much more about this special gift‚ because I want to leave some details as a surprise. But I wanted to give you this little glimpse to help you to know that I see your sacrifices, I see all that you give and pour out, and it will not go unrewarded. You, My parents and teachers and caregivers, are some of the greatest in My Kingdom, and I'm looking forward to the day when I can honor you before all of Heaven. (End of message.)

P.S. Jesus Was also a Teacher, and Loves and Honors Teachers!

175. (Mama: ) As I was about to finalize and send off this GN, we received a beautiful message from the Lord that I wanted to include. It was received for a dedicated‚ longtime childcare helper/teacher‚ a sweet single woman who has devoted her life and time to caring for another couple's children so that they can continue to do their important job for the Lord. The sad thing is that many Family members haven't been supportive of those, like this dear woman‚ who have chosen to devote their lives to caring for our wonderful children—and they often express their disapproval and wrong attitudes through comments that hurt deeply. That has happened to this woman, and we've heard of other situations where those who have taken up the challenge of the important ministry of childcare are being looked down upon and even talked badly about. This is sad and wrong.

176. The husband of the couple this single woman is helping wrote me the following:

177. "People like her should be honored and recognized highly in the Family. But that's not the recent trend of Family members, sad to say. Those people who trust the Lord for their own kids that are added one by one may get the golden medals, because of 'go for the gold.' But those who devote their own life for years to help others' children, because Jesus called them to do so, deserve the same, or even more beautiful medals—diamond medals or something. They are usually behind the scenes and help others to shine, and many times they are not only not recognized, but also are misunderstood as 'strange people' who are spoiling their own might-be free and happy single life. I think we all need to be aware how much our unthoughtful comments are causing discouragement, and also we should honor those who deserve honor."

178. I want you to really think about and seriously consider the beautiful words from our darling Lover that I'm going to share in just a minute. If He loves and so highly honors those who pour their lives into children, those who sacrifice their time and their own wants and desires in order to raise up new disciples, then I think we'd all better only speak praise, honor, commendation and appreciation when talking about or to those who give their lives for Jesus in this wonderful way. They are deserving of much more appreciation than we could ever give them here on Earth, but at least we can do our best to show them as much love as we possibly can. Amen?

Children are not a liability! They're an asset‚ or God wouldn't have given them! (ML #671:28, Vol.5).

179. (Jesus: ) My dearest, My darling, beautiful bride—how I love you! You have no idea how precious and dear you are to Me, not only because of your love and faithfulness to Me and My Family, but also because you've chosen to accept one of the highest callings I can give to anyone in the Family—that of teaching My little lambs. This is a ministry that I‚ too, had when I was on Earth. I took care of the children in My neighborhood‚ the children in the villages where I traveled. They were important to Me, and I not only wanted them to know My Father's love, but I wanted to do whatever I could to teach them right from wrong, how to be a good sample, and how to understand the things of the spirit.

180. I taught school, too. Yes, I spent more than a day or two teaching during My lifetime on Earth. I spent the better part of My ministry on Earth as a teacher. You haven't read about this part of My life on Earth in the Bible, but it was an important part of My life. You've read about My love for children and how I told them to let the little children come unto Me, for of such is the Kingdom of God. But there was much more when it came to My experiences with children. I taught them practical things and history—as well, of course, as how to know the love of God and have faith in His promises. I taught them lessons on kindness and love, on being humble and getting along with their friends. I taught them to be obedient and respectful of their elders. Those were the days of good, old-fashioned virtues, and I was one of the greatest teachers there ever was.

181. I know what it's like to care for a sick child, for I took care of My younger brothers and sisters when they were sick. I played with them and spent time with them, much like you do now, so that My parents could do other things. My earthly father would come home from work tired and My mother was busy cooking the evening meal, so on these occasions it was up to Me to do something edifying with My brothers and sisters. I didn't just walk around doing miracles and being spiritual; I learned to be spiritual and to understand you by living the normal everyday life of a man.

182. I understand that this is a ministry that's often misunderstood by others. Some people felt that I should be doing more important things, but I knew this was one of the most important things for Me to do. Many don't realize the gifts that are needed to fulfill this calling, nor the faith and vision you must have. Those who accept My calling to teach and shepherd the children of the Family are learning the most important and valuable skill of all—shepherding people.

183. You're not only learning it, My love, but you're living it every day. You daily shepherd the children and interact with adults and the parents. This is where I learned much about understanding people and how to treat them and how to love them, and this is where you learn the same things I did. Everyone in the Family is responsible to be their brother's keeper, to shepherd and witness to the lost, but some, like you, My love, have learned more about loving others through your calling.

184. You Family teachers and childcare helpers are further ahead spiritually in many ways because you have to use your skills of interaction, of people handling. You have to seek Me daily for My Words of guidance in your care of the flock. You have to be the sample to them of what you're teaching them. You're already at the top of My list. You're one of My priceless gems whom I treasure greatly. I see your sacrifices, My love, and I honor you for each one.

185. I understand the tests and trials, because I experienced the same in My teaching days on Earth. All that you do for these precious little ones‚ for your Home and for the parents, by sticking to your calling‚ will come back to you an hundredfold some day. You have no idea how greatly I will reward you, My darling. Whatever you've given up will one day come back to you. I will not let you suffer or miss out or lose one single blessing or a single one of your heart's desires. I will be faithful to reward you and bless you with the things you need and want as a token of My love and appreciation for you.

186. Each one of My faithful teachers and childcare givers is honored by Me. Each one of you is great in My eyes‚ because I know the sacrifice it takes. I know the desperation and prayer it takes‚ the hours of planning and teaching, the spiritual fight to be faithful and in tune with Me. It's not just a nine-to-five ministry, but a lifestyle and a calling. Your love for Me and the children compels you to go above and beyond the call of duty, and this makes you very valuable.

187. Even though you sometimes feel criticized by others, which are often the vocal minority, know that many parents and Homes would be eager to open their arms to you, My love, because they see in you a woman of faith and skill. They know you're a treasure that's not easy to find. You are special, My love, because I've gifted you with special talents. I've given you faith and the vision to believe that you're doing the most important thing you could be doing. I've given you the gifts to be a good teacher, a wise counselor‚ an anointed shepherdess. I'm so proud of you for using these talents for Me. I'm proud of you for your conviction to abide in your calling.

188. Mama and Peter are also proud of you, and very thankful for the wonderful role you play in the lives of My precious children. They would like to give you the honor and credit you deserve. They would like to tell the world that you, and many others like you‚ are vessels of honor. There are many who respect and admire you, My love. One day I will tell the world your name and what you have done for Me on Earth, what a wonderful, faithful vessel you are for Me.

189. I love you more than you realize. You're My Own sweet bride, My love. I will take care of you; just ask Me any time you need help, and I'm here for you. I'm your devoted Husband and Lover, and I will do whatever is good for you, to make your job easier and give you the blessings you deserve. I have your wedding ring waiting for you, My love. When the day comes that we stand before all of Heaven and I say My vows of love to you, I'm going to be so proud to introduce you to everyone as My wife: "My darling, My wife—the one who took care of My children on Earth. She is so beautiful to Me. She was willing to nurture My little lambs‚ and now I will reward her with her own little lambs and a special place by My side."

190. It's going to be a wonderful day when I can hold you in My arms and tell you personally how thankful I am for you, how much I love you, and how happy you make Me. I'm going to give you a special‚ beautiful ring as a token of My love—a diamond ring with the precious diamond created to show the world how valuable and priceless you are to Me.

191. So can you wait a little bit longer, My love, until I give you our ring? In the meantime, maybe you can get a simple ring on Earth to remind you of My vow to you. Every time you look at it, it will remind you of My promise and how I honor you as My wife. (End of message from Jesus.)

The future is in your hands! That tiny babe will be a king some day! That little girl will be one of His queens! Those happy, laughing, shouting children will be His princes and princesses and officers and governors and governesses who shall "rule the Earth with His iron rod" of love! (ML #315:36, Vol.3).

P.P.S. For a brief compilation of encouraging and uplifting stories for teachers and parents, see "Heart-to-Heart Stories for Teachers," posted on the MO site.

Copyright © 2004 by The Family

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