Be Still Or Listen
You can ask a young child to be still or you can ask them to listen. However, you cannot ask them to both be still and listen. The child psychologist who uttered these words grabbed my attention and still gives me something to ponder.
How old do you have to be before you can do two things at one time? I am over 50 and cannot think of many things that I do, and do well, at the same time I am doing something else. Maybe, just maybe it is hard for any of us to do two things really well at the same time.
Consequently, when a child comes to church can we ask that child to both sit still and listen? If I have to choose I would rather the child listen than sit still. Many times a moving child has surprised me by how well they have listened and learned.
What else do I need to consider so that I communicate with children the Good News of God. The Bible tells me to work at it morning, noon and night. Deuteronomy 6- Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
This week we will focus on this biblical command as we continue our series We Are Highland Park. We are looking at what it means to be a United Methodist Congregation in this place at this time. Part of our work is to minister to young people. The scripture wants us to begin the witness in our homes. Of course that raises the question of how can we accomplish such a task? I would love to hear stories of how you have reached young people with the love of God.
However, this is not just a worship celebration for those with children at home. For those homes without children I want us to consider if God is calling us to be a mentor in some way. One on One contact with a young person will change both of your lives.
Remember we now have available on the homepage-www.hpumc.net
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T-shirts are available that proclaim WE ARE HIGHLAND PARK.
See you Sunday, Pastor Ray
