Skip to main content

Let the little children come to me...

What would our world be like without children?  Children make us smile, laugh, cry, hopeful, thankful, compassionate, and so much more.  Many adults say that children say the darnest things or the cutest things.  Yet it shows their perspective on life is simplistic even though they are in a continual state of learning.

Children are a gift from God...(Psalm 127:3)

I love getting down on the floor with my nieces and nephews and any other children to play and have fun with them.  Being down on their level, allows me to see things from a different point-of-view.  It also allows me to connect with them like no other.  It shows them that I am interested in them and what they are doing.  Besides receiving hugs and kisses, my favorite thing is to hear a child pray to God.  Their simplistic faith sometimes amazes me.

These past couple of weeks God has given me the opportunity to share with different groups of kids about Jesus' love for them as well as missions.  Being able to share with kids about Jesus is one of the most rewarding experiences I have had in my life.  Seeing their faces light up.  Hearing them worshipping Jesus in song.  Hearing them pray.  Hearing them share among their friends about something that was said as they were leaving.  It is priceless.

As I was reflecting on my little nieces and nephews (10 months, 16 months, 2 years, and 3 years), in seeing and hearing them learn how to crawl, walk, talk, etc.  It made me think back when I first went overseas to learn a new language (Spanish) and learn a new culture.  It took me back to being a toddler again but in an adult body.  My adult way of thinking complicated matters because I didn't want to be a toddler again, but it was necessary in order to learn the language and culture.  Now, it was well worth the struggle because of the relationships I have made as a result of learning.

What is it that God is wanting you to learn through a child?

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

October Newsletter

  SHANNON’S CORNER The Saga Continues… The trip to Malaysia consisted of a two-day spiritual retreat with the theme of ‘Come Away With Me’ and a six-day conference with about 230 missionaries who serve in some aspect of translating the Scriptures. One of the many people who I met was a missionary who served in Cameroon for many years and now is in a new role. As he was sharing, most his words were very negative and depressive. I encouraged him to sign up for a time of prayer and care. At the end of the retreat, this missionary shared with me that he did have a session and I could see that his whole countenance changed, and he was hopeful. His new word he used to describe where he was now is ‘delightful.’ Our time there was creating a safe space for these missionaries to have a place to share what they are struggling with and to connect with Jesus. One missionary is at a crossroads in her life. Another finds himself in the midst of betrayal. A missionary is in a new role as a caregi...

January Newsletter

    SHANNON’S CORNER Winter Blast… Brr. It’s cold outside.  Winter is not a favorite season for many people, but I love winter. There is a beauty in the dormant, snow covered, and coldness of winter that embraces and permeates us to the depths of our bones.  It reminds me of the Lord’s love that embraces and permeates us to the depths of our heart and soul.  The snow brings a smile to my face as I delight in the quietness, calming, beautifying, and a slower pace.  Recently, I was talking with someone in Louisiana who was going to be making a snowman and snow angel with his granddaughter.  What playfulness and awe to experience the Lord’s beauty. Community is so important to our lives that even the Lord noticed how alone Adam was in the garden that He made Eve.  It is where you are seen, known, and find belonging.  It has been something I have prayed for, asked you all to be praying for, have sought after in ...

March Newsletter

  SHANNON’S CORNER Connect. Nurture. Grow. An unexpected and unplanned trip led me to see God’s marvelous and wonderful work at the Assist Pregnancy Center. I learned from the staff that this pregnancy center is unique and different in that the population they serve are women who come already with an 85-90% decision made of aborting their babies. The medical staff who are in the rooms with the women during their ultrasounds share Jesus with them and are compassionate witnesses to each baby as they are seen, valued, and loved. If the mother decides to have the baby the center walks alongside with the mother and family. I had the precious privilege to facilitate a training with all the staff of the pregnancy center to talk about the Wounds from the Work.  Listening to their stories of how the Lord called them to work at this pregnancy center and what the cost has been to them, and their families was sacred ground.  Creating a safe place for them to be seen and heard in thei...