A SIDEWALK CHALK ART MINISTRY INSPIRED BY A MOM

ALL IN THE FAMILY: Sidewalk artists Weston (5), Jennings (3) and their mom Rachael holding baby Bowen, with family dog Leo standing guard.

Love radiates from a sidewalk on Grey Street North in Southampton, thanks to the art work of a young mother and two of her three sons ages three and five (almost).

As a result of mom Rachael's sidewalk art inspiration, walkers on our street today are greeted by the words "You are loved!" followed by "John 3:16." written in bold chalk lettering interspaced with hearts of different colors. Incidentally, what looks to be a bunch of grass and small sticks to the right in the photo above is not there by accident...They were very carefully and lovingly placed there by Weston with the explanation: "Mr. Wright, that's a bird's nest!"

Kind of tells you something about what the young lad was thinking, doesn't it.

The (almost) five-year-old then proceeded to draw a cross with yellow chalk on the sidewalk, advising me that it was "a Jesus cross" as he repeatedly pressed the chalk stick into his work to make it stand out.

It goes without saying that there will be passersby in the next 24 hours who will be sufficiently impressed to go straight home and look up John 3:16: "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life."

Boy, talk about a sidewalk ministry!

What impresses me most about mom Rachael who does not pretend to be overly religious, is the fact that she has been exposing Weston and Jennings to Bible stories, primarily in the form of online programs and children's podcasts which they talk about often before going to bed, and she encourages the boys to learn certain scripture verses -- Weston already memorizing at least four. 

Most importantly, this is one mom who is raising a family destined to become solid right-thinking young men -- and in 20 years the world will be better for it.

Ya gotta love this kind of story...At least I do! 

For me it emits love and faith in an upcoming generation.