The recipe called for a sprinkling of patience, a dash of discipline, one cup of encouragement, a pinch of understanding, and a whole lot of love. The recipe for parenting children! What else could be so very frustrating and yet bring the greatest joy? Children are un-questionably gifts from God. We are blessed to have them in our school, in our homes, and in our lives. Jesus loved children and allowed parents to bring them to him during His ministry. Even heaven is filled with children. Think of the millions upon millions of children throughout history who have died before their time due to hunger, disease, and other causes.
Jesus makes this interesting statement in Matthew 19:14, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” At first glance there doesn’t seem to be much in the area of children’s ministry in the Bible. But if we look closely Jesus did minister to children. Three times in the book of Matthew Jesus healed individual kids. (Matthew 9:18-25; 15:21-28; 17:14-18) Each of the three times the children’s parents came forward first and requested Jesus’ help. Parents are the spiritual guardians of their children. God has given all of us as parents the noble task of raising and guiding our kids in the ways of righteousness. It never ceases to amaze me how funny children can be by just being themselves. In an article entitled “And God Laughed: Through a Child’s Eyes”, elementary aged children were asked to write a short note to God about whatever was on their mind at the time.
Here are some examples:
- Dear God, “In Bible times did they really talk that fancy?” –Jennifer
- Dear God, “Thank you for the baby brother but what I prayed for was a puppy.” –Joyce
- Dear God, “If you watch in church on Sunday I will show you my new shoes.” –Mickey
- Dear God, “Maybe Cain and Abel would not kill each other so much if they had their own rooms. It works with my broth-er.” –Larry
- Dear God, “We read Thos. Edison made light. But in Sunday School they said you did it. So I bet he stoled your idea.” –Sincerely, Donna
- Dear God, “I bet it is very hard for you to love all of everybody in the whole world. There are only 4 people in my family and I can never do it.” –Nancy
May God bless you and your family!
Sincerely,
Jim Meyer
Administrator
