Lisa Witherspoon, Director of Children’s & Youth Ministry
There were A LOT of children in worship that day.
Some of them were singing with the children’s choir.
Some of them were leading prayers.
Some of them were processing in the light, the bible, the cup, and the bread.
Some of them were munching doughnuts with sugary fingers or crunching goldfish crackers as crumbs fell on the floor.
Some had to go out for a potty break!
Most of them were squirming in their seats.
Most of them crinkled paper or plastic bags as they laid on the floor to color.
Most of them talked or whispered loudly – some of the younger ones even squealed or cried.
ALL of them were sitting with parents who were just a bit (or maybe a lot) bedraggled as they had struggled to get everyone fed, dressed, and out the door on time to come to that place where they find community, love, and faith.
ALL those children heard scripture read, praises sung, and prayers said, even if they are still too young to read the words, sing the songs, or say the prayers on their own.
ALL the kids were part of something bigger that day. They were enveloped in a community of faith; a group of people who share a love of Christ and a love for one another.
ALL of those precious children will someday face exclusion, grief, struggle, fear. What a gift that we can give them a foundation on which to stand when those things come – because they WILL come. What a gift that we get to walk alongside the children as they grow and discover a faith of their own. What a gift that we can show them a place where they are loved unconditionally – that we can indeed BE a place where they are loved unconditionally. What a gift that WE are the ones who get to help teach them about a Savior who sees each one of us – each one of them – and loves us so much that he sacrificed himself for us.
What a gift these children are! Even (maybe especially) if they come wrapped up in sticky fingers, noisy wiggles, and unfiltered joy & curiosity. So, let there be children in the pews and let us be grateful for the gift, in fact the honor, of being their community of faith.
but Jesus said, “Let the children come to me, and do not stop them, for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.”
~Matthew 19:14
