First, I want to thank you if you prayed for Mom. She came home last Tuesday, 44 days after a car accident that resulted in 15 broken bones and two broken vertebrae, along with severe internal injuries. Only Jesus could’ve healed her that fast. Never doubt the power of prayer.
Between September 25 and October 30, I’m helping with music at Wonderful Wednesdays at Jamestown ECO Presbyterian Church. It’s a six-week afterschool program similar to Vacation Bible School.
What’s great about this is they transport children directly from Jamestown Elementary School to the church, so lots of kids who don’t regularly attend church or Sunday school get to hear about Jesus and God through Bible stories and music. They also make crafts, play games outside, and have a snack. Dinner is provided afterward for the kids and families. It’s really a fantastic program.
Each week during music class, the leader asks a couple questions to review the week’s Bible story. Some of the kids nail the answers, can repeat the stories, and clearly have a grasp on what Christianity is. This is encouraging. Others clearly have no idea who Jesus is or why anyone would follow him. This breaks my heart.
I’ve heard the expression, “Kids these days,” my entire life. It always precedes something negative about children and teenagers, and typically is followed by, “When I was a kid” or “Back in my day….”
But here’s the thing. How many kids and teens do you spend time with; I mean, really spend time with? Do you listen to their ideas, their questions? Do you talk to them? Or do they intimidate you? Do you feel like you can’t relate to them and would rather criticize than engage with them?
I’ve been involved in children’s ministry in my church for eleven years. I started co-directing Vacation Bible School with Mom in 2008. In 2014 I began leading music in VBS, and in 2016 I started teaching the younger elementary Sunday school class.
I’m still teaching Sunday school and leading music during VBS. I’ve recently been blessed with the opportunity to lead Jamestown ECO Presbyterian’s youth group. Plus, I have two teenagers of my own. So I hear kids’ and teens’ ideas on a regular basis.
It’s really easy to view things from the outside and criticize. It’s much harder to get involved and do what you can to help. Think about it. It’s far easier to lament the situation in our schools than serve on the school board. It’s more comfortable to watch a baseball game and badmouth the coach when they lose rather than stepping up and coaching. You get the picture.
I think it’s wrong to judge whole groups of people according to what you’ve seen or heard about a segment of the population. This is true for good and bad things. Not all Democrats are pro-choice. Not all Republicans are pro-life. Not all Muslims are terrorists. Not all gun owners are murderers. Not all homeless people are alcoholics. Not every parent puts their kids’ needs above their own. And not all kids are selfish, lazy, disrespectful, entitlement-minded people. Some are kind, inquisitive, servant-minded kids with open hearts.
The bottom line is, if you don’t get involved with children, you can’t know if what you’re thinking about them is true. If you’re worried about the future of the church and our country, get involved with the kids in your community. Help with your church’s children’s and youth ministries. Serve on your local school board. Coach a sport. Volunteer in the schools. Lead a girl or boy scout troop. This puts you in a position of influence. You can be the conduit for God’s touch on children’s and teenagers’ lives. Their lives touch other lives, and the effect can be transformative.
The next time you’re tempted to say, “Kids these days…” consider involving yourself in their lives. You just might change the world.
All God’s blessings to you this week!