While digging through papers on my desk, I found a hand-written paper. It was obviously written on Christmas Day several years ago. I likely tucked it away to add to this blog, but it never made it past the pile of "things to be done... SOMEDAY." Although I wrote it on Christmas Day, I share it today- mid-June. The sentiments are timeless and for all seasons...
Today (Christmas Day), if you haven't done so already, most of you will gather, as I will, around a Christmas Tree to give and receive a multitude of packages. We will be carefully watching to catch the look on our loved ones faces as they open their gifts, hoping that the one we chose for them will be as "perfect" in their eyes as it was in ours when we chose it. We may plaster smiles on our own faces to hide disappointment or our eyes may fill with tears as we open those handcrafted presents from our children and grandchildren-- hearts full of love.
Today, we will be given gifts. How we use them-- what we do with them is up to us. Today, we will give gifts. How they are received and what is done with them is out of our control. Gifts, if they are really gifts, are not given with strings attached.
This can be hard for us to accept! Many of us may smile to remember the countless toys our toddlers ignored in favor of the boxes they came in! Even our teens can be heartless without meaning to hurt our feelings. Several years back, I searched in every store I could think of for the perfect mp3 player for our son-- I was so excited to finally find it at a home improvement store about an hour from our house.
It didn't work. I returned it- driving the hour each way and haggling with the clerks. The second one did not work either. This time, I asked for a refund. I searched online for a better player, and spent more than I really wanted to, but at this point, I knew that I wanted a name-brand. It arrived. It worked. All was well with the world... until...
He attended a school event and won an i-pod. From that point on, the gift from me was put aside in favor of this new one.
Every instinct in me screamed: "FINE! Give it back, then!!" But a small voice inside said: "But it was a GIFT."
God has given the world a gift-- the ultimate gift. Salvation is ours through Jesus Christ-- a free gift to ALL. There are no strings attached except this: we must believe and accept it. When we try other ways... other "gifts" besides this wonderful gift, God does not "take it back". God's grace, love, mercy, and everlasting life are gifts for all the world and are free for the taking any time we make the choice to receive! They are gifts. What we do with them is up to us.
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Thursday, May 23, 2013
When Children Worship
Something exciting is happening in our rural Indiana church. Children are worshiping God. Let me say that again: CHILDREN ARE WORSHIPING GOD!!
On Good Friday, this became abundantly clear. Between one young boy's excited questioning of what we would be doing at the service ("Is it like Ash Wednesday? Are you handing out nails again this year? Can I extinguish the candles?") and the sound of his younger sister's sweet loud voice trying to read along with us on the responsive readings, I realized. These children are worshiping God. Let me say that again, with the emotion I feel. THESE CHILDREN ARE WORSHIPING GOD! Even as I write these words two months later, I smile.
After I wrote about this in the church newsletter, other parents and grandparents shared stories. I was told of the little girl who was excited to receive a $5.00 bill on her third birthday because now she would have her OWN money to give to the church. When her grandparents offered to give her five $1.00 bills so that she could keep some of it, she became indignant, and insisted on putting the whole thing in the collection plate.
I was reminded of my own daughter's tears at the age of four when there was criticism from a few members of the church we were serving because our children took communion before they had been CONFIRMED! Through her tears she wailed: "BUT I WANT TO WORSHIP GOD, TOO!" If I had needed to be convinced, that would have done it.
Congregations make promises at a child's baptism or dedication to be part of the faith-building process. We promise to nurture the children and provide opportunities for them to grow in faith. It's up to the parents to take advantage of what we, as a community of faith, have to offer. it's up to the families to follow up on what they learn in church. It's up to the parents to choose to get them here-- even if and when that means choosing church over sports or going to bed earlier on Saturday night to be able to rise for worship on Sunday morning.
The best hope your children have for maintaining a faith relationship lies in these formative years. Even if they leave church for awhile after they leave home, there is a better chance they will return to the roots of faith when (not if) they face obstacles and challenges as adults.
As children learn to worship, here are some things that congregations can do:
On Good Friday, this became abundantly clear. Between one young boy's excited questioning of what we would be doing at the service ("Is it like Ash Wednesday? Are you handing out nails again this year? Can I extinguish the candles?") and the sound of his younger sister's sweet loud voice trying to read along with us on the responsive readings, I realized. These children are worshiping God. Let me say that again, with the emotion I feel. THESE CHILDREN ARE WORSHIPING GOD! Even as I write these words two months later, I smile.
After I wrote about this in the church newsletter, other parents and grandparents shared stories. I was told of the little girl who was excited to receive a $5.00 bill on her third birthday because now she would have her OWN money to give to the church. When her grandparents offered to give her five $1.00 bills so that she could keep some of it, she became indignant, and insisted on putting the whole thing in the collection plate.
I was reminded of my own daughter's tears at the age of four when there was criticism from a few members of the church we were serving because our children took communion before they had been CONFIRMED! Through her tears she wailed: "BUT I WANT TO WORSHIP GOD, TOO!" If I had needed to be convinced, that would have done it.
Congregations make promises at a child's baptism or dedication to be part of the faith-building process. We promise to nurture the children and provide opportunities for them to grow in faith. It's up to the parents to take advantage of what we, as a community of faith, have to offer. it's up to the families to follow up on what they learn in church. It's up to the parents to choose to get them here-- even if and when that means choosing church over sports or going to bed earlier on Saturday night to be able to rise for worship on Sunday morning.
The best hope your children have for maintaining a faith relationship lies in these formative years. Even if they leave church for awhile after they leave home, there is a better chance they will return to the roots of faith when (not if) they face obstacles and challenges as adults.
As children learn to worship, here are some things that congregations can do:
- When reading responsive readings, litanies or unison prayers, slow down a little so that children who are learning to read can keep up with us. Otherwise they might give up.
- Talk to your children or grandchildren about your own faith. Let them know why faith is important to YOU. If you don't know the answers to their questions, include your pastor in the conversation.
- Invite families to Sunday School. Offer to pick up the children and bring them with you. In rural communities like ours, some of the parents may still be trying to feed the animals on the farm!
- Make a commitment to attend faith-building opportunities for a month or two. Once you are in the habit, it's easier to "rise and shine and give God the glory!"
Jesus said, "Let the children come unto me." That's a good enough reason for me.
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