Whitnee's journey with Christ

I remember growing up going to church with grandma as a little girl. Grandma was on the deaconess board and if memory serves me correctly; she also sung on the womens choir. I remember how poised, well groomed, and well-mannered Grandma was. She carried herself this way at all times and so my cousins and I picked up a lot of characteristics of how to handle ourselves and govern ourselves accordingly.

One particular Sunday one of the ushers had given me a piece of bubble gum. Grandma NEVER gave us gum! If we asked for a piece of candy, it was always a peppermint. Well let’s just say I learned the hard way of why Grandma never gave us gum.

I had been chewing my bubble gum and in my own little world. Knowing me I was probably tapping my foot or bobbing my head back and fourth. By the glimpse Grandma gave me I must have been chewing like a goat or something but the look wasn’t enough to take me away from the “little piece of heaven in my mouth!” Suddenly it’s like time stood still: I had made a pop with the bubble gum. If looks could kill I would have been a goner.

Grandma signaled for me to come sit next to her. She had a small piece of tissue that she had folded up in her pocketbook. She took the tissue out of her purse and made the gesture for me to spit my gum out. I was thinking to myself, “why would you be so silly Whitnee’ and pop a bubble with your bubble gum,” but by now it was too late my precious bubble gum that still had a lot of flavor was now wrapped up in tissue and was buried in the bottom of Grandma’s purse.

Thinking I could go back to my sit that was behind Grandma I proceeded to get up. Grandma took the tip of her fingernail and pinched my inner arm fat until I sat down beside her. Her look dared me to squeal. Let’s just say I never ever, EVER had bubble gum in church again after that.

Oh wow how times have changed!!!!!!

A few Sundays ago Madison and Joshua came running into church with such excitement and joy on their faces as they rushed to get to the front of the church to join the other children for the children’s sermon. The children’s sermon had already begun but the noise of light chatter and small footprints quickly approaching had brought such glimmer to (almost) everyone’s face.

In that moment the look of fear came over Faith’s face. It’s like she had seen my Grandma pointing her finger and signaling her to come sit next to her. The look on my face was similar but I couldn’t help but smile at the fact Madison and Joshua had run up because they didn’t want to miss their weekly blessing.

I’m so happy times have changed. If it was back in my day I’m sure Grandma would have had a switch waiting to pop their little legs or even their mom for allowing them to run in the church.

Now let’s add some Scripture into the mix. Read Matthew 18:1-5. Click here for the scripture of the day. Verse 3 says: and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of Heaven.”

Wow!!!WoW!!!!WOW!!!

Warning: This section may step on some toes but count it all to joy and for the glory of God.

If some of us had the humility of little children maybe we wouldn’t be so worried about meeting the status quo or fitting in to certain cliques at church. Maybe we would welcome the cry of the infant, the shuttle shhhs of the mother towards her eager children, we wouldn’t frown upon the grumble in the old man’s tummy, we would smile instead of frown at the toddlers happy feet, and we may even put some pep in our own step and walk into the house of the Lord ready to worship with excitement and joy like little Joshua or Madison.

Maybe we all have a thing or two to learn from the little people and it’s not just my opinion but it’s God’s word!

God encourages us to have childlike faith and with that childlike faith he wants us to put childlike trust in Him. He doesn’t care about the stares, the rolling of the eyes, or even the comments people may have, no my God wants us to focus on Him no matter what people think.

Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked Him.
But Jesus said, “Let the children come to Me, and do not forbid them: for of such is the kingdom of Heaven.”
And He laid His hands on them and departed from there.

Matthew 19:13-15

And so when I read that Scripture and I heard the same happy feet running down the aisle on yesterday I thought two things. One, here these little worshippers are ready to hear a Word from God and two maybe someone needs to set an alarm so they can make it so the little ones can scroll in and be as cool as a cucumber! (No offense intended here, but I pray you get the message) And to put the icing on the cake there is something from the Sunday school lesson that God placed on my heart to share.

The lesson text came from Haggai 1:2-2:9

Note from the commentary:

Haggai does not dismiss their recollections of their first temple. Instead, he invites them to take an honest look at the building work now in progress. He seems to ask them not to cling so tightly to their memories that they miss the new vision before them. Haggai wants the senior members of the community to be active advocates and cheerleaders for the present work, not merely critics longing for the good old days. The past is a foundation from which a community can learn and grow into the future.

God doesn’t want us to forget the teaching and how we were brought up in our homes, in school, or at church BUT we must recognize times have changed. Everything has evolved. So we as a people have to embrace new and innovative ways that will attract people to the Body of Christ not chastise them or turn them away from church. We can remember and hold true to our foundation while coming to God in childlike form lifting up our voices, our feet, our hands, our hearts to worship and bring praise to the Living God.

Todays message is dedicated to Joshua and Madison Daniels. They along with Kami, Liam, and Zenobia (featured on todays cover page) are some of many children who continue to inspire me and teach me so many things. They help me to loosen my sleeves, lift my voice, like Nygel be eager to worship God with no hesitation or excuses, stand tall and strong like Khalil, and be brave and courageous like Brycen to share stories like these.

You will be amazed at how much we learn from little people if we just quiet ourselves and listen. God uses them also to speak to us. I’m so blessed by the little people God surrounds me with daily (to include the 3 young men in my home) and I am so excited to learn new and innovative ways to glorify God as little people like Madison and Joshua lead the way!