The little things!

I finished school last week and spent a lot of this past week reflecting on the semester and looking at all the things God has brought me through.  I realized quickly that instead of focusing on all the things I didn't have and all the friends that were no longer in the city with me, I could focus on the people who were around me.  I recognized this transitional time period is to be used to love people!

I spent my morning with a bunch of awesome one to four-year olds, playing, singing, and teaching them about Jesus!

Our story this week was about Nehemiah and building the wall to protect the town and the people.  Nehemiah not only wanted to help build the wall, but he lead other people to want to help build the wall too.

The children love love love knocking things down, so building a wall with blocks was extremely difficult.  However, overtime each child learned how to add a block to the top of the wall without knocking it down.  It was the little act of handing a block to their neighbor that demonstrated their cooperation and sharing capacity.

Each small block is necessary to complete the giant wall to protect the town.  It continually reminds me that each one of these children are important to God.  Each one was created just the way they are because God "knit them together before they were born" (Psalm 139:13).  Each one of them deserves to be told about God's love and shown God's love.  Jesus said to the people, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these" (Mark 10:14).

I love being able to work with the children at my church because their wide-eyed smiles and laughter show the joy that God instills in each of us.  God uses so many people in the Bible who were considered poor, young, or unwise to show us that He accepts everyone just the way they are! And that true fullness of life comes from having a relationship with Him!

As the little ones said this morning, "I can help you, and you can help too!" We are all on this journey of life together, so slow yourself down for a minute and be like a child, eager to learn, excited about life, and willing to help others and accept help from others! We can help each other, just like Nehemiah and his friends!  It's the little things we do for each other that help build one another up and show how much we care about their presence in our lives.

I pray that you would be reminded of the people who have helped you along the way (including God) and that you would be able to see the people in your life who need you to show them your love and God's love! Shine His light and "love your neighbor as yourself" (Mark 12:31). All prayers in Jesus' name, Amen!