“Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it.”
I do not remember a single lesson my 3rd-grade church schoolteachers taught, but I remember them so clearly, even after so many years. My grandfather just died. My teachers were a wonderful couple about the same age as my grandparents. I loved them not because they were great Bible teachers, but because they were kind, and the man looked just like my grandfather. When we returned to Colorado, after my grandfather’s funeral in Minnesota, we returned to church, and sitting in their class was like a divine resurrection. It was comforting to watch this man and his wife share their faith, compassion, and love. They helped me grieve without even realizing it.
Think about your own childhood memories in the church. If you don't have childhood church memories, think about your Christmas or birthday celebrations. What do you remember? I am willing to bet that words or even sentences aren't part of your memory. For most children, actions and emotions make the difference. We remember the silly, the sad, the confusing, and the joyous. For those of us with a church background, church provided many of those moments.
Now that we are older, God is calling us to support our church's children. You don't have to have the right words in every situation. Instead, just being open, friendly, and kind leaves a larger impact on young ones. You rarely know what is going on in a young person’s mind, but if you are consistently present and warm, you may heal unseen wounds. Even when the children seem to ignore you, your openness may have a special impact.
Today, reflect on your childhood memories. What were the joys and sorrows? What made those memories profound in your young mind? How have they influenced your life up through this moment? God speaks in so many ways, often without words. God can speak through emotions, especially to children. The next time you think God doesn’t exist, or that God has never spoken to you, think about your childhood and the way God reached out to you then. Know, deep down, that God is still reaching out to you now. You might also be a blessing to the young ones around you.
