Joy and I had the opportunity to spend the day at the Georgia Aquarium this past weekend. For her birthday, and to celebrate Madison’s 2nd birthday, Joy asked that we do this. It was a great time to see Madison run from tank to tank to see the thousands of fish as they swam in the water. Green fish. Purple fish. Yellow fish. All kinds of fish. Sea otters and sea lions. Sharks. Whales. I felt like I was in the middle of the Dr. Seuss book. What a treat! But back to Madison…She’s at the stage that when she sees something she has to touch it, feel it, experience it. If she saw a seahorse, she wanted to touch it. The Sea Dragons-she wanted to touch them. The turtle-’touch it, grandpa’. Over and over again, she repeated her desire. Fortunately, she seemed content by just touching the glass when the fish swam by.
As we endeavor to impact kids, I hope that our children and grandchildren will be able to experience and encounter God in the same way I did as a child. I hope we never get beyond some of the emotional encounters that we experience when we find ourselves in the presence of God. I pray that Madison will see Christ followers who demonstrate their love for God in the worship service. I noticed her on Sunday morning at the church, where her dad serves as Student Ministries Pastor. When the praise and worship team was singing, she had her hand up in the air. I’m glad that her parents had her in the sanctuary so she could see and experience and be involved in the worship with the rest of the family of God. Let’s make it our business to make sure that our kids touch God and that God touches them! Yes, let’s raise a generation of kids who worship! Wasn’t it a child who went and sat on Jesus’ lap? Maybe that child just needed to touch him!
Great job, leadership team. This blog will serve as a great comunication tool for the members. You’re the best!
Awesome reminder of our heritage and the importance of passing it on at a young age! Thanks Tony!
This is soooo true! And the part where you mentioned her raising her hands during worship . . . that reminds me of something that happens here. On the occassion that we have our children’s church in the ‘big church’ our children are the ones being the example to our adults on how to worship. Its a treasure to observe and see that moment of realization in the eyes of Mom or Dad as they witness their child raising their hands and giving their all to the Lord.
Hey, cute kid…of course I am sort of biased. Great post…you are really starting to impress me with your mad blogging skillz.
The timing is amazing. I receive the challenge.
Some great words……yet i am finding less parents bringing their children in the big service if their are no children’s service on Sunday nights. How can we encourage the parents these days to commit to Sunday evening service’s now. I know that it’s more time at home before the work week begins, but I am concerned for the children not being in adult services for the experience seeing their own parents worship.