Talking Treasures #

How Do We Encourage our Kids to Speak Up?

This is often a question I struggle with. I sometimes wonder if the kids feel embarrassed or just “uncool”.

I have no doubt that our kids are constantly hearing from the Father in their own unique way and they have so much to share but how do we get them to overcome that first hurdle and speak up?

I recall one of our kids telling his dad to share his vision of the Father’s love. He saw it as a wild horse, which could not be tamed or reigned in, and this blew me away because it is exactly how God’s love should be seen. I know that in sharing his picture, there was a lot of people present that morning that benefitted from hearing that. And this is something I want to encourage more of with our kids.

Cool to Talk: We know that in the bible, Samuel was 13 when he began to hear from God and said, “Speak Lord, your servant is listening.” I believe that encouragement and letting them know there is no wrong thing to say in this instance at times may prove helpful, but realise this is something that may take some time to come into action. The reason I like to keep plugging at it though is I have no doubt in my mind that the Father is storing such treasures within each of our kids [or as Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 4, “We have these treasures in jars of clay.”] and these treasures are meant to be shared and seen by many. He wants our kids to be heard loud and clear and to shine brightly for Him.

Hearing the words “Well Done”: I suppose as we mature in our Christian walk we know that we look forward to the day we stand in front of our Father and hear those words, “Well done my son / daughter.” Perhaps our kids are longing to hear these words from us every week and with a little encouragement from us, as parents, they will stand tall and share those treasure being stored within them. It’s amazing how much a kid can take from a pat on the back and a helping hand around their shoulders with their Fathers’ words whispering in their ears.

So here’s hoping that we start to see more and more cool kids within our midst who are not afraid to stay quiet. I look forward to the days when as adults, we struggle to get a word in because our kids are taking over with sharing the gems and nuggets straight from the Father.

Let the Kids be Kids #

I recently watched a program on National Geo called “Kids Who Preach”. It showed a 4 year old boy from somewhere near Alabama who, in all rights seemed to be a phenomenal preacher and quoted numerous bible readings and showed immense passion. However, it is also showed him as a normal 4 year old boy who had trouble reading and writing in general but liked to have fun, whenever possible.

It also showed an older boy who has been preaching for years and has become known for his healing ministry across the US and has been invited to speak where those inviting him have paid to host him, bought him suits and dressed him in expensive clothes and so on. You get the picture.

Whilst I have no doubt whatsoever that these kids do hear from God and clearly, it troubles me that there are some people who tend to see beyond them in such a way as to try exploit the work of the Father in their lives.

Now I am not saying that this behaviour is common throughout kid’s ministry, but it scared me in a way that it is happening elsewhere and I found myself praying for the kids so that they may come to know their Father in their own natural way and begin a relationship with Him without being forced to have to think about anything else. When they come to know the Father and begin their relationship and walk closely with Him, then they will be lavished with the gifts He has in store for them and things such as healing ministries and great preaching will come as a default BUT the greatest thing in all this will be they will enjoy the company and love of the Father first and foremost.

I believe we should never forget that these boys and many others like them all over the world are in fact, kids. They are trying to live a normal life growing up in a normal way and get on life as how they should. God has such a hand on these kids and their lives that He already knows best how and when to speak to them and what they will walk into with Him. Let us not look beyond that and let us help them enjoy what they have already and rejoice in who they are today and what they are doing. For if we truly believe the truth in Jeremiah 29:11, then we know also that our part to play in all this to encourage them and not to exploit them.

Do You Hear What These Kids Are Saying?

This was a question I asked myself after Saturday night. I had the honour and privilege to spend the evening with my good friend and his three kids ~ two boys aged six and eight and a little darling of a girl aged two.

I had originally volunteered to babysit and when I got there, plans changed (for the better as it happened) and we had some dinner with kids and played and watched a movie. As time passed we approached bedtime for the boys and they didn’t want to say good night to me from the lounge but instead, asked if I could go upstairs, as they got ready for bed.

So the four of us went and we talked and eventually they were asked if they wanted to pray. Matt, the elder of the two said he would pray first but needed a minute to think.  As he prayed, my heart melted inside me and I was brought to tears, as was my friend. Although such a normal sounding prayer, it was the simplicity and sincerity of him that literally broke us both.

His prayer was, “Jesus help us to know you better and that we could see just one time while on this earth.”

The words pierced me deeply and made me realise that sometimes as teachers, we can be too caught up in helping our kids become great men and women in the kingdom who will go on to do such great things for the King of Kings that we have missed completely who they are today! I truly believe we have such a powerful generation of kids in our midst with such power, compassion, authority and hunger that we need to embrace them fully. This is what I found my hearts prayer to be this week. I do not need to focus on what these kids will become and what they walk into because we have a loving who wants only the best for them anyway [Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the plans I have for you” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”] As well as this, He has already laid their armour and tools in the places where they will need them. So with this taken care of, let us help them be who they are now completely!

So as the disciples asked Jesus as in the bible, [Matthew 21.16 “"Do you hear what these children are saying?" they asked him. "Yes," replied Jesus, "have you never read, "From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise'?"] Let us stop for a minute or two and hear what our kids are saying now. We may find ourselves being impacted more than we ever thought we could!