On Reflection
From the manse window
ONE of the real pleasures of ministry for me is when I’m invited into schools or nurseries. What fun to share in some of the lessons, and witness the imagination, colour and excitement of inquisitive young minds and growing hearts!
What a joy and privilege to sing songs, tell Bible stories and pray with children. Jesus clearly loved, valued and respected children and they clearly adored him.
I am impressed with the dedication and energy of those who teach and nurture our children. It’s obvious that when it comes to life skills such as sharing, helping, good manners and so on, grownups must lead by example.
Not long ago in our church we were reading about Mary and Joseph bringing the Baby Jesus to be dedicated in the Temple. Senior citizens Simeon and Anna were there praying as usual, and they were prompted to welcome the family and rejoice that this infant meant comfort, peace and good news for the world.
This chapter records Joseph and Mary and their family travelling each year to the Passover Festival in Jerusalem. We might reflect on how their faithful attendance at worship and no doubt sincere example at home in Nazareth helped nurture the child who would grow to become Saviour of the world.
It reminds me of an account in the Old Testament about a woman called Hannah who had difficulty conceiving, who prayed for a child and dedicated it to God’s service before it was even born. The first son she bore was Samuel, who grew to become a prophet and judge, a great and beneficial leader in Israel.
I think we could do worse than resolve to pray every day for the children and young people in our lives.
God welcomes the prayers and honours the honourable lifestyle demonstrated by caring parents. In the grand scheme of things, everything is better for such things!
We rarely see guardian angels, but they are real – and here’s a thought. How many young ones were saved from trouble and harm because parents and grandparents, uncles, aunties, siblings, godparents, teachers and friends were faithfully naming them in prayer, requesting for them grace in Jesus’s name?
So, every day we are given to wake up and breathe and think, before we do anything else, let’s name our dear ones before heaven’s throne. We might say something like:
“Dear Father, have mercy upon us for Jesus’s sake. Forgive us where necessary, save us, and our children. You are welcome to visit our homes with your grace, protect and bless us in our education, work and travel, but more, lead us in your ways. Make us all a blessing to those we meet.”
With child-rearing, as with most things, people are for ever talking, expressing opinions, quoting this expert, promoting such and such a theory.
These things have their place, but there’s a lot to be said for simply praying, inviting the wise Lord to touch our family and friends with his goodness. Let’s encourage as many others as possible to do so.
These Bible readings suggest the whole community will know the benefit!
Next week: Time flies by for Sister Tessa Fisk as the church’s year progresses.