If offered the choice between a new toy and a hug everyday, which do you think most kids would choose? Most would choose the toy of course. We love giving our kids toys and other things they desire for Christmas and other occasions, but most of this “stuff” we give them will most likely be broken, lost or forgotten before the next holiday arrives. Time spent with those who care about them will be remembered much longer than any expensive toy.
More than anything, kids want to be accepted, understood and loved. What they need most is a relationship with the Lord. These things cost nothing, but worth much more than the newest i-phone or video game.
God has really laid it on my heart lately to be much in prayer for our young people. So many teens and preteens are hurting, depressed and uncertain about their feelings and their place in this scary world we have created for them. Perhaps it’s because I have six grand kids…five of them teenagers now…that I see the situations some kids face everyday. They all have friends…the most important people to a teenager…and some of these friends are openly gay, transgenders, from broken homes, have been in trouble with the law, have parents who are never around… How can we help when so many need it?
As in any helpless situation, the answer is prayer. Pray for solutions and the abilities to carry them out. Pray for people to come forward with a passion for Jesus and a love for kids. Share your own story of hope and salvation found only in Jesus. I remember wondering, shortly after I was saved, at the age of 16, why no one had bothered to tell me before about the Lord and His plan of salvation… or had they tried… and I didn’t listen? We don’t always “get it” on the first introduction, so we must keep telling the story until all have heard it and accept it.
A ray of hope has recently come from one very unlikely place…Hollywood. No doubt most of us have heard about the rapper/singer, Kanye West and his Sunday Service Church. What a blessing this man has been and can be to our young people! Lets pray for him as he reaches out to others in the name of Christ. The hearts of our kids are at stake right now and the stumbling blocks satan has set before us seem overwhelming…but through Christ all things are possible! Where is there a greater need for change than in the music industry? Have you heard some of the trash these kids listen to? Profanity and filth being piped into their ears tuned to a beat that thunders through their headphones at the speed of sound. How can they not be affected by it? And how can we not rejoice when one of them comes to the Lord?
Many find this change in Mr. West to be just another bid for attention on his behalf. But let’s pray for him and not judge. Who do we need more than someone our kids just might listen to? The Bible tells us in Mark 9:38 And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us; and we forbad him, because he followeth not us. 39 But Jesus said, Forbid him not; for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. 40 For he that is not against us is on our side.
I encourage you to check out Kanye’s story and to pray that others like him might also find their way to Jesus. The worship services he leads may not be the same ones we are used to, but God can use anybody He chooses to carry out His work. Let us not get in the way, but pray for success and blessings according to God’s will.
This year when we give our kids all those presents, let’s throw in a bunch of hugs too. They will be remembered much longer, and greatly appreciated… once they get older anyway. In the end, the greatest gift for all of us is the gift of life we receive upon accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior. Pray many receive it this Christmas.