e-mail 09/28/06

At church last night it was so exciting after our prayer time to go outside and see so many children. I am not sure that Misty could tell how many were there or even if she had time to get all their names. I know she tried but her class was loaded. It was a blessing to see so many there. What a tremendous ministry there is in our Children's Department! I thought about it afterwards and realized that there were enough children there without parents that we could start another adult Sunday School class with just the prospects. What an opportunity to get the Gospel into these homes that God has given to our home church! How thankful I am that I can be on Misty's team to try to reach these children and their families! Misty's work does not stop at the door of the room or play area.

Often we do not stop to thank God for the children. Sometimes we think they are rude, noisy, and in the way and I am sad to say that I am the first one to say that they sometimes get on my nerves when they do not behave (I am getting older by the way). But these children are our blessings from God. Please don't misunderstand me: I love well-behaved children, I love having them around. They make me smile, they make me laugh and most of the time they are just being themselves. Children seldom pretend to be something they are not unless you know that they are playing. They tend to be more honest than adults.

Children usually speak the truth - even when it hurts. At a church Bob pastored many years ago, he did a children's sermon just before he preached. The church was small and we did not have a separate children's church. Bob asked questions from the kids to get started and on one particular Sunday morning, he asked what they had done the day before. WRONG QUESTION!!!!!! One child began telling about Mama and Daddy's fight, then another kid spoke up and told what went on in his house and while he was speaking another started until they were all talking at one time, telling things that should have been kept at home and out of the hearing of the children. The whole congregation was laughing so hard that it was difficult to get control of the situation. Needless to say the pastor that day learned a lesson about asking kids questions that he did not already know the answer to.

We are called the Children of God, we have been adopted into the family through Jesus Christ. We can go to our Heavenly Father and call him "Abba" (Daddy) AWESOME!!! We don't need an appointment, we just call out and He is there. History has told us that John-John Kennedy could go into his daddy's oval office almost any time he wanted to. He was often pictured as a toddler crawling under President Kennedy's desk while the president worked. How much greater it is that those who are the Children of God can go right in, sit down and have a chat with God anytime we want to. God is never too busy. I am sure that it makes Him as happy as it made my dad when I had the opportunity to call and talk to him.

Jesus said in Matthew 19:14 "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven."Thank you, Father, for letting me be one of your little children. Hold me tight, Lord because I feel fragile. Some days I want to cry because of life's problems, I want to cry because I hurt physically or someone has said something hurtful. Some days I feel lonesome and then I remember that You are there. Some days I remember what I would be if it had not been for Jesus and everyday, Lord, I want to be used for Your glory and doing whatever You want me to do. May I always be about.....

Sharing your Love,

Peggy