Luke 8:15-17
People brought babies to Jesus, hoping he might touch them. When the disciples saw it, they shooed them off. Jesus called them back. “Let these children alone. Don’t get between them and me. These children are the kingdom’s pride and joy. Mark this: Unless you accept God’s kingdom in the simplicity of a child, you’ll never get in.”
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
One of Timothy’s first books was called Inside Noah’s Ark* by Charles Reasoner. My mom bought this “board book” for him, and it didn’t take long for Timothy to learn the rhyming phrases on each page. “Load the animals, two by two – here on Noah’s floating zoo”, the first lines say…and we “loaded” the ark countless times. I read other “God books” to Timothy…simple prayers for children, Bible stories, and a particularly special book that explored the question, “Where is God?”
I have always marveled at Timothy’s acceptance of God. He has asked a few insightful questions about why we cannot see God…and where is He, really?...but he readily accepts that God is everywhere – that He lives in our hearts and is with us at all times. I believe he truly loves God as much as any five-year-old can. He is learning about the importance of living in a way that pleases God…and it appears to be important to him to do this. We’ve read stories about Jonah and others who did not obey God and suffered the consequences. I feel like Timothy and his siblings are developing a very good grasp of just how much God loves them…and they are developing a desire to honor and obey Him.
The question seems to be…when do we lose this innocence and purity of heart? At what age/life stage do we start to really question God’s authenticity…and His presence? More importantly, WHY do we do this? There are dozens of answers, ranging from the development of an intellect that causes us to question everything to peer pressure to a heightened sense of ego and self-sufficiency that can often lead to rebellion…or some catastrophic event that kicks us in the gut and leaves us feeling “punished” or abandoned by God.
Regardless of the causes, the bottom line is that we need to return to “child-like faith” and trust God more readily. It’s okay to have questions…God welcomes them, and He will provide the answers if/when we are willing to seek His guidance. It’s okay to be confident and believe in yourself – to a point. But rather than criticize or demean those who seem to rely on God and follow His lead with something akin to “wild abandon,” we would do well to “let go and let God” a little more and adapt their approach.
Sometimes, reverting to your childhood can be a good thing…and when it comes to your faith in God and the attitudes of your heart, it’s most definitely good to be a kid again. Are you ready to trust God with the simplicity of a child? Will this be the day that you begin?
©2015 Debbie Robus
*http://www.amazon.com/dp/0843148853/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=ICIIN9FURNLT&coliid=I1AX4856YA4WRD
Showing posts with label introducing children to Jesus. Show all posts
Showing posts with label introducing children to Jesus. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for December 16, 2011
Psalm 145:1-4
I will praise you, my God and King, and always honor your name. I will praise you each day and always honor your name. You are wonderful, LORD, and you deserve all praise, because you are much greater than anyone can understand. Each generation will announce to the next your wonderful and powerful deeds.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
When my little cousins visited last weekend, they told us about the new elf they “adopted” this year and named Bells. Bells is one of Santa’s helpers, and he reports back to the North Pole and lets Santa know if Olivia and Owen are being nice. He’s also mischievous and fun… and if you touch him, he loses his magic! Just ask Owen and Olivia – they can tell you all about their elf, Bells!
Ask virtually any toddler who can say a few words who the man with the red suit and white beard is, and he/she can tell you, “Santa Claus!” Many of these children have never actually seen the man… they don’t have a personal relationship or experience with him… yet they know who he is. Even at two and a half, Owen told his daddy to leave Bells the Elf alone, or “… he’ll lose his magic and Santa won’t come!” And believe me… my little cousins do not want Bells to lose his magic!
I’m afraid far more children know about Santa Claus and the Elf on a Shelf than Jesus. Thankfully, my little cousins are not among them. From an early age they have been introduced to their “Forever Friend” and taught to honor Him. And I have sung “Jesus Loves Me” to Timothy, prayed over him, read books that speak of God and talked to him about Jesus since he was just a few months old. He, Owen, Olivia, and countless other children are already learning about the power and wonder of their Heavenly Father.
As we age, we often start to blur the lines. If we are not careful, the Elf on the Shelf and Santa Claus will have more importance in our lives than Jesus Christ! Especially in this holiday season, many will place more significance on getting the packages purchased, wrapped and under the tree than reflecting on the birth of Jesus and what His coming to earth meant for us. Many will spend more time hurrying to this party and that than stopping to spend a few minutes with someone who can no longer get out and go to parties – or anywhere else, for that matter. Many will celebrate the commercialism of the holiday season and never crack open a Bible or consider the true message, much less take advantage of this opportunity to begin telling a child about Jesus.
There is room for the Elf on a Shelf in the holiday celebrating. But a lot of us have pushed Jesus so far down the shelf that He’s just about to fall off… if He hasn’t already. And little ones who know all about Santa and the magic of Christmas are capable of learning about the real “Magic” of the season. Each of us started somewhere in our journey to get to know Jesus. In this season of wonder and excitement, let’s remember to stop and praise HIS love and power… and thank Him for the wonderful deeds He does for us every day of the year.
Someone took time to share Jesus with you… are you “paying it forward” and sharing Him with others? Isn’t this a great season to begin?
©2011 Debbie Robus
I will praise you, my God and King, and always honor your name. I will praise you each day and always honor your name. You are wonderful, LORD, and you deserve all praise, because you are much greater than anyone can understand. Each generation will announce to the next your wonderful and powerful deeds.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
When my little cousins visited last weekend, they told us about the new elf they “adopted” this year and named Bells. Bells is one of Santa’s helpers, and he reports back to the North Pole and lets Santa know if Olivia and Owen are being nice. He’s also mischievous and fun… and if you touch him, he loses his magic! Just ask Owen and Olivia – they can tell you all about their elf, Bells!
Ask virtually any toddler who can say a few words who the man with the red suit and white beard is, and he/she can tell you, “Santa Claus!” Many of these children have never actually seen the man… they don’t have a personal relationship or experience with him… yet they know who he is. Even at two and a half, Owen told his daddy to leave Bells the Elf alone, or “… he’ll lose his magic and Santa won’t come!” And believe me… my little cousins do not want Bells to lose his magic!
I’m afraid far more children know about Santa Claus and the Elf on a Shelf than Jesus. Thankfully, my little cousins are not among them. From an early age they have been introduced to their “Forever Friend” and taught to honor Him. And I have sung “Jesus Loves Me” to Timothy, prayed over him, read books that speak of God and talked to him about Jesus since he was just a few months old. He, Owen, Olivia, and countless other children are already learning about the power and wonder of their Heavenly Father.
As we age, we often start to blur the lines. If we are not careful, the Elf on the Shelf and Santa Claus will have more importance in our lives than Jesus Christ! Especially in this holiday season, many will place more significance on getting the packages purchased, wrapped and under the tree than reflecting on the birth of Jesus and what His coming to earth meant for us. Many will spend more time hurrying to this party and that than stopping to spend a few minutes with someone who can no longer get out and go to parties – or anywhere else, for that matter. Many will celebrate the commercialism of the holiday season and never crack open a Bible or consider the true message, much less take advantage of this opportunity to begin telling a child about Jesus.
There is room for the Elf on a Shelf in the holiday celebrating. But a lot of us have pushed Jesus so far down the shelf that He’s just about to fall off… if He hasn’t already. And little ones who know all about Santa and the magic of Christmas are capable of learning about the real “Magic” of the season. Each of us started somewhere in our journey to get to know Jesus. In this season of wonder and excitement, let’s remember to stop and praise HIS love and power… and thank Him for the wonderful deeds He does for us every day of the year.
Someone took time to share Jesus with you… are you “paying it forward” and sharing Him with others? Isn’t this a great season to begin?
©2011 Debbie Robus
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