Do you like kids?

(Today's devotion is guest written by Cindy Hall.  She is part of our leadership team caring for technology and is a great part of the team as well as a friend.)

Luke 18:16 (nlt) --- Then Jesus called for the children and said to the disciples, "Let the children come to me. Don't stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children."

Do you like kids?

How many people say no to that question?  Not many, I would think.  But how many of you are putting your money where your mouth is? When was the last time you did something for a kid, maybe one you don't even know, just because you can? 

I know lots of folks who can answer the last two questions with "this past weekend".  The back2School event at TCF was a HUGE success, as stories were told (go read it!), feet were washed and new shoes fitted, hair was cut, school supplies handed out.  We served 457 children with nearly three hundred parents/guardians/family.  That is a bunch of people, anyway you look at it. 

I was privileged to be "Event Staff" (got the tshirt to prove it!) and for most of the day, I was essentially a door keeper.  In a practical sense, that means I kept folks from flooding the room where the feet washing was going on.  But what it really meant is that I was able to have conversations with a great many of those 700-plus people and hear a little bit of their stories. 

It was crowded and noisy and lots of traffic back and forth.  But time after time, someone would touch my heart.  The shy preschooler and the too-cool-for-this teenager.  Tired adults and kids so hyper they seemed to crackle the very air.  A big group of brothers/sisters/cousins/friends who laughed and joked amongst themselves the whole wait in line and didn't seem to have time for my questions.  But I'm persistent and the line was a little slow.

What grade are you in?  What school do you go to?  What is your favorite subject?  So many different answers!  I'm pretty sure we had every school in this area represented with ages from preschool to high school seniors.  I asked every upperclassman the same standard question….what do you want to do when you graduate?  My heart ached for those…too many…who had no answer except a quiet "I don't know"and a faraway look. 

That touched me more than anything because it doesn't seem very long ago that my future was unknown and uncertain.  It wasn't just a lack of plans but a lack of knowing Jesus.  I can recall the overwhelming dread and hopelessness like it was yesterday.  To be honest with you, serving at back2School was not that comfortable for me.  Like most, I have a long list of to do's with too much on it and not enough time or energy to do them.  But I take the time to serve (and let go of some other things) because today, I still don't know what my future holds but one thing I do know.  My life is now sure and secure in Jesus and I want everyone I meet to see that in some way.  See, THAT is what it's all about.

What's your story?

 

 Isaiah 40:31 (nlt) --- But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.They will soar high on wings like eagles.They will run and not grow weary.They will walk and not faint.