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Learning Lessons From Our Children

DandelionBy Rev. Lynette Hagin

Children are a wonderful gift from God. Psalm 127:3 says, “Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.” Children have always been so special to me. I have always loved to teach children, especially the pre-school age. The hearts of children are so open unto the things of God. It really grieves me that churches always seem to have difficulty in getting people to volunteer to work with the children. It seems that some view that as a lowly position. However, I believe that it is one of the highest positions that you can be involved in. I encourage you to get involved in volunteering with children at the church you attend.


Even the disciples misunderstood the value of children. In Mark 10:13–16 in the New International Version we read: “People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.’ And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.”


Children are not contaminated with all the reasons why something cannot be done. Children easily believe the words that you speak. They do not question or try to figure out some underlying meaning. Jesus was impressing upon His disciples the importance of adults accepting the promises of God by simple faith just as children do. Children live every day on a level of trust and faith in someone’s words and actions. They must believe that their parents will provide shelter, food, and clothing for them. They must depend on a parent or guardian to make provisions for their education. Faith comes very naturally for children. They live on a level of depending on someone else on a daily basis.


NaturallyI remember quite well an incident that happened one Christmas in our house. My children had opened their Christmas gifts. One of the gifts we had given to our son, Craig, was a pair of what were called “jogger skates.” They were roller skates attached to tennis shoes and made to be used at a rink. When our daughter, Denise, who was five at the time, saw these skates, she immediately wanted some. This was the most expensive gift Craig had received, and quite frankly my budget had been expended. However, to stop Denise’s crying, I said, “Denise, when you learn to skate, I will buy you some jogger skates.” I thought I was quite safe because she did not even have a pair of skates to learn the skill. However, much to my surprise, she found a cheap set of skates that her brother had, stuffed the shoes with cotton, put them on, and learned to skate in one week’s time.


The day she excitedly said, “Mommy, come watch me skate!” was certainly not an exciting time for me. It meant that I must honor my word to buy her some skates, and I was going to have to believe God for the finances.


The point I want to emphasize is, never once did she doubt that what I told her would come to pass. She did not say, “Mommy, mommy, are you sure you will buy me some skates?” No, she never questioned me, but she knew that what I said, I would do.


We need to take a lesson from our children. Mark 11:22–24 (NIV) says, “ ‘Have faith in God,’ Jesus answered. ‘I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, “Go, throw yourself into the sea,” and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.’ ” I like what the NIV says: “believe that you have received it.” Denise acted like she had received the skates even though she did not have them yet. And so it is with the things of God—once you ask in faith, believe that you have received them. The manifestation may not materialize immediately. But continue to believe, hold fast to your confession of faith, never doubt the promises of God, and it will come to pass.





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