I watched as a wide eyed little boy stopped at every dandy lion puff he spotted and picked it and watched as the seeds floated away. Today is was the simple wonder of “flowers” and “big water”. I always like walking with children because I see things that I never would have noticed otherwise. Why is it that a world looks so different through the eyes of a child? Simple things that we miss because we are too busy to notice or care are the focus of a child’s attention for longer than we could imagine. How will you answer the call? How will you make a difference in the life of a child? What will you do differently with the mindset that our children are the children of NOW and not just the adults future? How can you be like Andrew and lead children to the feet of Jesus so that their lives can be changed, and in turn change lives? So, what’s my plea? What’s my purpose for writing this post? Here’s my challenge to you: Sure, he has great plans for their future, but he also has great plans for their right now. Jesus used 9 year olds when he was here on earth, and he still is using them TODAY. Andrew embodied the idea of stopping at the lemonade stand by taking time to listen to a child. Children need an avenue to be led to the feet of Jesus. If it weren’t for Andrew speaking on behalf of the child, 5,000 people’s lives would not have been changed that day. But what if that little boy hadn’t spoken up, what if he had remained silent and ate what he had and kept it to himself? What if Andrew had never spoken up and brought the young boy to Jesus? Here I think that while what the boy gave was amazing, Andrew is the crux of the story. That young boys lunch that day fed thousands. It reminds me of the story in the Bible about the little boy who came to Jesus with just 5 loaves and 2 fish (John 6). If he can use a 9 year old, he certainly can use you. But, when was the last time you shared your faith with a friend? Jesus used a little boy to change eternity. Some of us may think this story is cute…how sweet that a little boy did that. The kingdom of God was changed that day…because a child took the time to see a friend who needed Jesus and do something about it. Our children have the potential to be powerful. He called the boy aside in the bathroom at school, and led this little Buddhist boy to Jesus. A boy from my church, no older than 9, recently led one of his friends to Jesus. I am reminded and moved by one story that I came across recently. Our children are the children of RIGHT NOW, their needs, dreams and fears are real, right now. But I would say that this could not be farther from the truth. For so long we have heard that children are the future…there have been songs written about it, there have been talks and messages spoken on this thought.
I can say though that I borrowed the idea from a good friend inspired by the Holy Spirit to engage the vision of others with the message that children are important, NOW. That I could claim the brilliance behind the thought.
I wish that I could say that this was my idea. Take time to refelct on the gifts that lie within your heart that you can give Christ by giving to others this year. To give gifts to the King of King and Lord of Lords who came as a humble Baby to save the world. This Christmas season, I pray that you too will set aside the business and hustle and bustle and remember the real meaning and purpose of Christmas. The last line of In the Bleak Midwinter, by Christina Rosseti, reads like this: I taught the kids a poem today, that was written in 1872 that describes this idea of what we can bring to Jesus. (Galatians 5:22-25) Scripture says, that when we give to others, we are giving to Christ himself.
#HOW TO BUILD A LEMONADE STAND FOR KIDS FULL#
Our hearts are full of many gifts that we can give: Love, Generosity, Kindness, Peace, Joy, Patience, the list goes on and on. Through the innocence of a child’s question, I was rememinded that despite the business of Christmas, I needed to focus on the gifts that I could give Jesus.
In fact, it’s the only present that Jesus’ asks for. This led into a great converstation about how when we love and serve Jesus, we give him our hearts and our love and that is the best present that Jesus could ask for. Lucas: “Well, how can he get me? I can’t fit in a box!” Me: “He does, Lucas, he gets the best present of all! He gets you!” Lucas: “So, if Christmas is Jesus’ birthday, then why doesn’t he get any presents?” This was the conversation I had with a preschooler of mine this morning: I am not talking about the kinds of gifts that can be wrapped up and put under the tree. I know this may sound strange as most of us try and downplay the “getting” part of Christmas and emphasize Jesus’ birth. Today I was reminded of the most important part of Christmas.
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