Guiding Light!
The Children!
More than a few of us were once told that "children are to be seen and not heard." This statement has been used by parents to tell a child their place in the family is to be cute, quiet, and submissive. In reality, such a perspective comes from an adult world focused on career-building, stuff-gathering and fun-seeking, which rarely places kids high on the priority list.
The God of the Bible however, has a different perspective. According to Heaven, kids count. Where God is, children are to be seen and heard - and a society that doesn't heed this, buys into a heap of trouble. God has many things to say about how children are to be seen, and heard. Here are a handful.
"Bring the kids" and "tell them I love them" God says. When someone says that, you know they love you and they love your children. If God wants to engage with our kids, what's He saying? In effect, "I want kids to grow and learn. I want children to be in places and among people who will show them how to live responsibly, answer their questions with wisdom, and be there when life has its crises and collapses."
"These are the commandments that you are to observe, impress them upon your children," the men and women of Israel were told by, Moses, their great leader. God wants to commune with our children, challenge them, envision them toward great things in the future. He desires to excite their imaginations and fill their minds with truth. God loves it when the child laughs the pure laughter of play and accomplishment.
"Don't turn the children away from me," Jesus once said to His disciples who assumed He was too busy doing other things to notice, "children best express what citizens of the Kingdom of God are like." Tell that to a CEO who barricades himself behind three secretaries and four assistants; to a celebrity who can only be contacted through an agent; to a father or mother who thinks that building a career is more important than being present to a kid.
"Love your children and don't provoke them to anger," wrote Paul. The bottom line of this thought? Make kids the center of your universe. Some of us never heard this message. We were shoved back and forth from baby-sitter to day-care center. We were smacked around, ignored for booze. No one ever told us "No," and we hurt!
In light of this then, a significant personal question arises: Will we let a bad past control our future? Or will we move toward a Heavenly father who actually does want "kids" to come by, to experience His love - love we couldn't get from others. We're invited to God's presence. There's growth there; there's vision there; there's love there. And those of us who have kids (and grandkids) right now? Better bring 'em.
Luke 18:16 "...Let the children come to me and do not stop them, because the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these."
Heavenly Father, help us to see the value in our children and the attitude they have for you. Teach us to be that child like person you desire us to be, coming before you in a humble spirit seeking your face. Teach us to look at the big picture of eternity and not at the world about us. Teach us Father to not take life so serious that we miss out on your blessings and all that you are offering us here and now. We thank you Heavenly Father for your unconditional love for us and the insight we gain in our children. We look forward to this new day you have given us so that we may be an example of your love as we show it to all we encounter this day. We praise you and we honor you for your magnificent glory. In Jesus name we pray........amen
In Christ's Service,
Kenny Millhouse
kenny@guidinglightministry.com
http://guidinglightminstry.com
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