GlocalNet

Our of our children’s Sunday School teachers - relayed the following story:  At the end of our study time we were running late for worship, so I was about to close in prayer without asking for those sweet, but sometimes long prayer requests of my 1st graders. However, a little boy raised his hand and told me he had something to pray about.  He was moving to another state. Then another hand went up and another and another. Almost every child had one. They were not the usual, “My friend’s dog broke his leg.” or “I want to go to McDonald’s for lunch.”, however important those may be!  No, these requests were, “to have a happy family”, “for my step Dad to be nicer”, “to not be nervous in court”, “for Father/son time soon”, “for my Grandpa to quit smoking”, “my parents are mad at each other and not living together anymore”.  I was stunned in two ways. One, that these little souls had such burdens!  Two, so grateful, they were sharing their worries with our group and asking for prayer!  We stood up, held hands in a circle and I began to pray (eyes open on each little one, so as not to forget the requests!)  It was a special moment that gave me goose bumps!  These kids are receptive and open. They are watching and listening.  They are getting it.  God is good.

Kids deserve better.  Money isn’t the panacea it’s made out to be.  If it were our kids would be the happiest kids on the face of the earth.  I’ve seen children and orphans in war zones, horrific tragedies, and impoverished nations who suffer tremendously.  In a nation where we are “educated”,  “financed”, and have more disposable income than any place on earth - still in the midst of these hard economic times - I wish our minds could catch up with our pocket books and our college degrees and we could be far more mature in how we relate as families. 

A famous preacher, Billy Sunday, said on his deathbed, “The world I’ve won, but my son I’ve lost.”  His son died an alcoholic.  If we can’t live a life of faith in Christ and pass that on to our children, it is truly tragic.  When I stand before God, I will answer for my children more than anyone else.  That doesn’t mean I ignore others - I brought my kids up with me all over the world, going with me, with people in and out of our home, and it has infected them in service and ministry. 

My daughter Jill is in charge of “glocal engagement” for our youth - that’s all she talks about.  But that ministry comes from a family who has served together, played together, traveled together, and stood together through good times and bad. 

Do something today most parents will not - give your children 1 hour of undivided attention - and not just at the supper table.  Oh yeah, that’s a huge one - make sure you eat supper together and if you can’t - then have a family gathering time.  That’s the #1 thing successful families do.