Ephesians 5:1 – Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children. (KJV)

He stood at the door of the church, eagerly awaiting arrivals for whom he could perform his task — handing out the bulletin. You could see the excitement in his wide eyes and the smile that lingered on his little lips. He couldn't have been much more than six. A skinny little arm sported a wristwatch almost bigger than the size of his fist. Red hair slicked back, freckled face scrubbed clean, he was dressed in his "Sunday best". Today was special. It was Palm Sunday and Alexander (not his real name) had a job to do.

Once it seemed everyone who was coming had come, he joined the other children at the front of the church. When it was time for the children's story, the minister came down from the pulpit to sit with the children and recited the story of Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey. "I wonder," he said, "why he didn't choose a horse or even perhaps, a cow?"

Alexander shot his hand up fast and first.

The minister then asked why they supposed that palm branches were used. Again, Alexander's hand shot up fast and first. And so it was throughout the rest of the story. A question would be posed; Alexander would be eager to answer. Although the minister did take answers from other children as well, Alexander's exuberance was catchy.

Somewhere along the way we sometimes lose that readiness to serve; that innocent eagerness to answer when asked; the exuberance and excitement in sharing the Spirit. Perhaps we need to look to our little ones for direction.

Prayer: Guide us, Lord, to see though the eyes of a child, that we may better serve you as adults. In your name we pray. Amen.

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About the author:

Mary Daniel <marydee@shaw.ca>
Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada
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