BELIEVE ~
Christmas Time is about bright lights, trees, presents and family/friend time. It's about the birth of Jesus and the celebration of one life. Children believe in Santa Claus and it opens hopes and dreams for them. People ask you what you want for Christmas and our minds start to wonder. What do I want for Christmas?
CHILDREN ~
As a child, we can hear of both Jesus and Santa. I think of our children's Pastor Stacy Marks. The kids are planning on singing in front of the church in a few weeks. As they prepare for it, she continue to tell the kids how Jesus loves them. This day is about the birth of Jesus and sharing love within our families. Watching her teach, is amazing to me. The love for kids come pouring out and her husband (Mac) helps out too. One amazing young couple and friends.
Another great outreach is our church host the Foster Family Christmas Party each year. That is where Santa comes and kids are given gifts from the county. Darlene and I are privileged to be ELVES for Santa and we spend time making the kids laugh. It is truly one of my favorite times of year being able to help at this.
The Bible speaks of this:
Matthew 19:14 (NIV)
14 Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
Proverbs 22:6 (NIV)
6 Start children off on the way they should go,
and even when they are old they will not turn from it.
Children ~
Grow up to be adults
As a child, I thought different than I do as an adult. I always wanted to have friends and be kind to others. It was a goal I had as a kid and continue that goal today. I love sharing time with others and I love kids. I am privileged to be a mom and a grandma. I understanding the meaning of one day, one life and importance of seeing yourself the way God does in this life. We never know what one day brings and just a smile can make such a difference.
I will never forget one child at the Foster Family Christmas Party. He didn't want to sit on Santa lap. He was asked why? He said, "Santa can not give me what I want, because I want my mom". Tear poured from little face and my heart broke. He was right, Santa couldn't return his mom and giving him a gift wasn't the answer. Yet, we figured out a way to make him laugh again and my world was changed forever with his words. It just makes you think of kids that are hurting and gifts is not what they want. They want family and he hugged by love.
We can start kids off with hearing the words of Jesus and showing them love. Somehow today, I am feeling this message is a kid who is an adult today. You have hopes and dreams that just doesn't seem to come true. You keep pressing forward while the wonder of it all over takes your mind. God truly is the answer you are looking for today. A peace beyond measure and a hope that continues on a daily base. Time is short and living in today is important. God hears the cry of your heart and wants to answer in a unknown way today. Something amazing can come from your prayers and you can see God at work. God continues to want us to come to him through it all.
A new day brings new hope. Another chance of an opportunity to serve God with all our hearts. My prayers continue for you, your family and friends. Kids and adults like happy. Maybe you are not a kid anymore but the kid inside of you can truly come alive. Keep believing and pressing toward greater things. Allow yourself to feel happiness this day and reach far out with your prayers. God does restore and makes dreams come true. Asking largely, believe big and count blessings along the way!
~ Sparkie
Christmas Time is about bright lights, trees, presents and family/friend time. It's about the birth of Jesus and the celebration of one life. Children believe in Santa Claus and it opens hopes and dreams for them. People ask you what you want for Christmas and our minds start to wonder. What do I want for Christmas?
CHILDREN ~
As a child, we can hear of both Jesus and Santa. I think of our children's Pastor Stacy Marks. The kids are planning on singing in front of the church in a few weeks. As they prepare for it, she continue to tell the kids how Jesus loves them. This day is about the birth of Jesus and sharing love within our families. Watching her teach, is amazing to me. The love for kids come pouring out and her husband (Mac) helps out too. One amazing young couple and friends.
Another great outreach is our church host the Foster Family Christmas Party each year. That is where Santa comes and kids are given gifts from the county. Darlene and I are privileged to be ELVES for Santa and we spend time making the kids laugh. It is truly one of my favorite times of year being able to help at this.
The Bible speaks of this:
Matthew 19:14 (NIV)
14 Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
Proverbs 22:6 (NIV)
6 Start children off on the way they should go,
and even when they are old they will not turn from it.
Children ~
Grow up to be adults
As a child, I thought different than I do as an adult. I always wanted to have friends and be kind to others. It was a goal I had as a kid and continue that goal today. I love sharing time with others and I love kids. I am privileged to be a mom and a grandma. I understanding the meaning of one day, one life and importance of seeing yourself the way God does in this life. We never know what one day brings and just a smile can make such a difference.
I will never forget one child at the Foster Family Christmas Party. He didn't want to sit on Santa lap. He was asked why? He said, "Santa can not give me what I want, because I want my mom". Tear poured from little face and my heart broke. He was right, Santa couldn't return his mom and giving him a gift wasn't the answer. Yet, we figured out a way to make him laugh again and my world was changed forever with his words. It just makes you think of kids that are hurting and gifts is not what they want. They want family and he hugged by love.
We can start kids off with hearing the words of Jesus and showing them love. Somehow today, I am feeling this message is a kid who is an adult today. You have hopes and dreams that just doesn't seem to come true. You keep pressing forward while the wonder of it all over takes your mind. God truly is the answer you are looking for today. A peace beyond measure and a hope that continues on a daily base. Time is short and living in today is important. God hears the cry of your heart and wants to answer in a unknown way today. Something amazing can come from your prayers and you can see God at work. God continues to want us to come to him through it all.
A new day brings new hope. Another chance of an opportunity to serve God with all our hearts. My prayers continue for you, your family and friends. Kids and adults like happy. Maybe you are not a kid anymore but the kid inside of you can truly come alive. Keep believing and pressing toward greater things. Allow yourself to feel happiness this day and reach far out with your prayers. God does restore and makes dreams come true. Asking largely, believe big and count blessings along the way!
~ Sparkie
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