I got this from a friend while I was on vacation. I love this. His family had not been attending a Sunday morning gathering for some time, and he wondered what kind of impact that might be having on their children. On a recent Sunday grandma was visiting from out of town and wanted to attend a Sunday service. So the whole family went.
His eight-year daughter old didn’t want to go to Sunday school because she claimed she didn’t like it and didn’t get anything out of it. Instead she wanted to sit with the adults and asked if she could draw during the sermon. She brought a pencil and some paper for that purpose. While listening to the sermon, my friend looked down and noticed his daughter wasn’t drawing, but writing. Here’s what he saw:
“My God loves me and my soul no matter how many times I have been bad or not listened. He loves me. I love God back because He is my hero. Nobody is praised more than my Lord. I am grateful for my God and He is grateful for me. God loves me for who I am and I am grateful for that too. I love you Lord. Amen.”
Pretty cool, eh? Actually, it’s better than most sermons that I’ve had to sit through. My friend was deeply touched. Their family has been in a bit of a financial crunch of late and he has had to work three jobs, sometimes seven days a week. He said he felt like a failure as a spiritual leader, even though he’s tried to communicate God’s love for all of them, no matter the circumstance. Looks like it’s getting through. As he wrote me, “I’m not necessarily encouraged that I am doing a good job as her dad, but more encouraged that in spite of all God is present in her life and working in her heart.”
Because he is just like that!
And honestly the truth in her words is where this journey begins. I can already hear the detractors who would read her words as an excuse to “be bad” or “not listen.” This view of God’s love, they’d say, is just used by weak people to excuse their sin. But nothing could be further from the truth. Our security in the Father’s love is not where sin perpetuates; it’s where relationship with him can truly begin. And in that relationship we will slowly, but surely, be transformed into his image.
Love it!!!! She sure is profound!
Actually, our security in the Father’s love is the only place where DOESN’T perpetuate. All sin flows out of a wrong self-image — seeing ourselves as separate from God, and less than His image and likeness
. I Corinthians 6:17 — “…he that is joined to the Lord is ONE SPIRIT.”
Love it!!!! She sure is profound!
Actually, our security in the Father’s love is the only place where DOESN’T perpetuate. All sin flows out of a wrong self-image — seeing ourselves as separate from God, and less than His image and likeness
. I Corinthians 6:17 — “…he that is joined to the Lord is ONE SPIRIT.”
Awesome!! Thanks for sharing. It amazes me that people truly believe the only place a child can learn about GOD is in Sunday School or other traditional church activities. GOD gave the responsibility for teaching a child to the parents – He never said: “Thou shalt take thy child to Sunday School”. I wish I hadn’t been so deceived when I was younger and my children were young…so sad.
Awesome!! Thanks for sharing. It amazes me that people truly believe the only place a child can learn about GOD is in Sunday School or other traditional church activities. GOD gave the responsibility for teaching a child to the parents – He never said: “Thou shalt take thy child to Sunday School”. I wish I hadn’t been so deceived when I was younger and my children were young…so sad.