A Purpose

And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 
II Timothy 3:15

We often wonder if God has a purpose for our lives. We may think we wander about life aimlessly. Perhaps we need to reexamine our circumstances and see what God is trying to do through us. 

Today I want to examine a story in II Kings 5:1-19. Most of the story is about Naaman, a leper. The part I most want to concentrate on is the little maid. Not a lot of information is given about her, no name, no age, no duties as a servant (read that "slave"). The one important thing about this little girl is her care for others. She told her mistress that she wished her master was in the land of Samaria with the prophet who would heal him. That's all. The message gets passed along and mixed up. Naaman ends up at the King of Israel's doorstep and upsets the whole kingdom because the king can not help. When Elisha hears of the visit, he sends for Naaman. Even when Naaman returns home a healed man and a saved man, nothing more is said of the little maid. She was second only to God in this story because had she not started the ball rolling, Naaman would have never gone to Elisha or been healed or gained faith in the one true God. Parents, join your kids in jotting down a few notes to help us understand how God uses even us in the worst of circumstances to bring others to Christ.

Hey Kids - Go get a paper and pencil. We can make a few educated guesses about the little maid and cover a huge writing, math, geography, science, and history/ social studies assignment with the help of this one little maid. 

Science - What is leprosy?

History - When did Syria take slaves from Israel?

Math - How far would the Israelite captives have to travel to get to Syria?

Creative writing - using your 5 senses jot down the little maid's capture and travel experience. 

What sounds did she hear? Screams? Pleadings? Clashing of swords? Horses neighing?

What smells were there? The smell of sweaty animals, cooking fires, dust, etc.

What tastes? Dry mouth, a sip of water (hot or cold?) What foods? dried meats, cheese, raisins or figs, yogurt from a pouch.

What did she see? Wounded people, tear-stained faces, dirt-streaked faces, tangled hair, sadness?

What did she feel? The heat of the sun, the cold of the night, fear?

Was she still with her parents or had she been separated? Did she travel with a friend? Was she injured or mistreated? 

What about when she got to Syria? Was she sold as a slave or simply taken by Naaman for his wife? How long before she knew the language? How was she treated?

Through all of this, the little girl kept her faith? How had her parents instilled God's word in her so that through all of this she was still able to see that her job in life was to serve God and serve others? 

Kids, what story can you write from these notes? What do you think happened when Naaman returned? Was she reunited with her family? Did she grow up and have a family? Did she die in a plague or from an injury? Was God's purpose for her life fulfilled in this one assignment?  What further research do you need? How is God showing you your purpose through this little girl? 

Parents, what ideas do you have to increase the faith of your children? This little girl surely demonstrated her faithfulness in her daily work for the Syrian mistress to believe her idea that Elisha could heal Naaman. Her parents first instilled the faith in their child. Then a witness went out to "all the world". Can we do no less? Is this not our purpose to love and teach our children to love and teach others of Christ?

Blessings,

Gail

Making a difference

And of some have compassion, making a difference: Jude 22 KJV

The nightly news interviewed a man who a year ago, was involved with hate groups. He felt angry that he didn't have a job along with other issues.  He wanted to blame someone for his problems. He joined the Ku Klux Klan. They couldn't help him. 

He joined the Neo Nazis and became involved in a bad situation. Still no relief. 

Finally, a black pastor invited him to church. He didn't really think he would be well received, but decided to go anyway. He found a church full of people who not only welcomed him but showed him the love that made the difference and changed his life. 

What is our attitude toward hate groups, those who practice immorality, and those of other belief systems? Will belittling them or name calling or excluding them from out company change their minds and attitudes? I think not, but having compassion on those who are searching for love in all the wrong places will make a difference. 

How will you make a difference this week?

Hey Kids:

With school starting, you will no doubt meet new people as well as old friends. 
What can you do to show the love and compassion that will make a difference in their lives?
How will they see Jesus in you?

Here's some ideas:

Smile and say "Good Morning" to someone who looks unhappy.

Share that extra cookie in your lunch box with a bully without them asking or demanding?

Invite someone to join you and your friends at recess.

What other ways can you think of showing compassion (that's kindness) toward someone who seems a little out of sorts? Please share your ideas. 

Blessings,

Gail

To School With Love

This I command you, that you love one another. John 15:17 NASV

While teachers are scrambling to get classrooms ready between meetings, someone planned Meet the Teacher Night.

This year in the midst of my craziness, I thought I'd plan an activity for parents to give their child.  Checking out the back to school ideas I ran across this from laughingkidslearn.com. 

All I need to provide are small smooth stones, a permanent marker, red fingernail polish and a set of instructions. As I show the preschoolers around the classroom, their parents will make Love Rocks. The directions are simple. Write the child's name on the back with the marker. Then make a heart on the front with the nail polish.

On my instruction sheet, I will tell parents to give the Love Rocks to their child each morning with a hug and a goodbye kiss for the day. The child may keep the rock in their pocket or bookbag.

I will have a folder for each child with their name and a heart. Each morning they will place the folder in a basket for me and my assistant to check. I'm placing the heart beside their names on the folders to remind them we love them too.

At the end of the day, the folder with the heart will go home in the bookbags with the reminders for the next day. I'm hoping all these signs of love will remind the children to give the folders to their parents and bring it back the next morning. I'm also hoping it begins to build a sense of community where we love one another.

I may begin the year with that verse in the context of a simple explanation of Dr. Martin Luther King's dream for his children and ours. We also need you praying for our teachers and our students.

Love,

Gail

Hey Kids:

What are ways you can show love? It doesn't have to be all hearts and flowers.

Here are some ideas:

• Write a note to mom thanking her for the lunch she packed. Place it in your empty lunchbox. 
• Sit with the forgotten child at lunch or recess.
• Invite a new child to join in your games and investigations.

What would you add to our idea list?