Many years ago, there was an old man, in his eighties, who was sitting one afternoon beside his dying wife. She, too, was in her eighties. They had lived fruitful lives. Together, they had eight children, but the Lord had taken every one to Himself, some of them when they were small, some of them when they were older. This old couple had no grandchildren, and was alone in the world. The aged husband was seated on a chair beside the bed, and his wife was asleep. After a while she woke up and reached out to touch his hand.

"John," she said, "It is night, isn't it? It's dark."

He wanted to say, "Why darling, it's bright daylight," but he caught himself, for her sight was beginning to fail. So he said softly, "Yes, it is almost night." He meant the long night of the soul.

"Why don't you turn on the light?"

"I will."

He stood and turned on the light.

"The bulb must be bad," she said.

"Well, I guess it's worn out," he replied.

With her hand in his, she dozed off again. Once more she awoke. "John, aren't you almost ready for bed?"

"Yes, darling. Almost." He meant that long, narrow bed from which there is no arising until Jesus comes.

"Have you taken care of the house?"

"Yes, darling."

"The door locked?"

"Yes, darling." His voice was tender.

She drew a deep breath and asked, "John, are the children all in?"

Warm, heavy tears rolled down his cheeks as he whispered, "Yes, darling, they are all in." He meant that all were in heaven with Jesus.

I know that there are untold millions of children who are not all in. They are not in the Lord's house. They are not safe in the arms of Jesus. They have not been born again. They have not even heard the gospel. They are being kept away from Sunday school, church, God's Word, and hearing the purity of the gospel message. If I could make one simple reminder to each parent it would be this: In matchless grace, God has entrusted to you certain children. Make sure they are in church; make sure they are in Sunday school; make sure they are in Christ; and most importantly, make sure you are preparing them for heaven.

"Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up" (Deut 6:4–7, KJV).