HCLM BLOG

Zach, Paul and I take turns doing chapel for the Pre-school and Academy children. Today was my day. We have been using the theme, blessed to be a blessing. Today's characters were Abram and Lot, Genesis 13 if you want to give it a read. I shared a few simple truths with them and now I share them with you. 1) Having more stuff is not always a good thing. It caused problems between Abram and Lot's people. 2) Everything we have is God's. We are just stewards. I spent some time on this second point, holding up toys, chairs and even my shoes. "Who's is this?" To which the children responded, "God's." 3) God can take back His stuff whenever He wants. (Cool side note...the section of land that Lot picked, having been given the honor of choosing first, is now desert.) Isn't it cool that God thinks enough of us to give us anything to begin with and that He doesn't love us less when we forget these simple truths.

After chapel and the high five's and personal blessings for the kids, one of the teachers reported to me what one of the children told her on their way out. "My shoes don't fit anymore. I guess I should give them back to God." I think she got it.

We should all spend more time listening to children. You'll hear the voice of God.

I was waiting my turn at the chiropractors office this morning. Just one person in front of me so I could quickly get back to the to do list. A few seconds either way and I would have missed this gem of a conversation between a dad and his small daughter.

This man's daughter, probably about 2 or 3 wanted to go to the play room. I assume she really wanted to go because she asked several times, rather politely, in that little kid kind of way. The father refused each request but I guess he finally thought it would be beneficial to reason with her, giving her an explanation for his denial to her requests. "You can't be in there alone," he finally said. "But dad," in a beautiful, polite, little girl voice, "I'm not alone. Jesus is with me." I waited with a smile for a comeback. "How do you argue that?" was his reply to me, obviously seeing that I was interested.

Oh the concrete thinking of a little child. I was so proud that here was a little girl that got it. I wish I would keep that truth in the forefront of my mind. I confess that I have begun many days with "get out of my way, I have a lot to do." God, forgive me for those moments. 

The dad was saved by being called into the room. He said he wanted her to be with him. Already thinking of a blog, I was waiting for a great line like, "you want me to be God with skin on for you?" but there was no such line. Just a gentle reminder of the presence of God in our lives. I needed that.

I just finished watching our pre-school class present the Christmas story to a room full of parents, grandparents and siblings. There are times that I am amazed at just how unbelievable the Christmas story, even the whole story of Jesus sounds. God becoming a man, born of a virgin, lives, is crucified for our sins and rose again victorious. It could be a Disney tale. I have friends that don't believe it. In watching children, I am reminded that faith itself is a gift of God. So I am spending some time in prayer for friends of mine that do not believe. May God grant them to gift of faith this Christmas. And I am thanking God for the gift of faith that I am so fortunate to enjoy.