For the past two years, Jayden has gone through some tough times at school. He has had a very hard time adjusting in school. He is not one of the "cool kids" but he isn't a part of the super academic kids either. I would say he sits somewhere in the middle. He is a very innocent kid. He doesn't have a lot of the knowledge the kids his age does about the world, or at least the way other kids his age interprets the world.
I have such a hard time seeing him struggle. It makes my heart ache to see him come to the car so downcast and fighting to hold back the tears as he relays his day to me. There is only so much I can say when I wasn't there and don't truly know the situation. Today was one of those days. The struggle was REAL. As my son is sitting beside me fighting to maintain his composure, I am thinking of ways to solve this problem for him. In my mind, I'm looking for a "bubble" just his size to put him in.
This year, I decided to start a "My gift to Jesus tree". We have the cutest Charlie Brown tree, decorated with a taupe colored bow, burgundy berries and a strand of lights. On that tree will hang the ornaments with our gifts we are giving to Jesus written on them. One of my "gifts" is to take time every day to help my children learn how to read, study, memorize the Word and to make the principles of the Bible come alive to them.
As I fumed and fretted about how to resolve the burden my son seems to be carrying, the object lesson I had with the girls this weekend, popped in my mind. I drove home with a plan. I had Jayden put some water in a white soup bowl and sprinkle enough pepper to just about cover the surface of the water. I started with my questions to make them think and to lead them to where I was wanting to go. We went over what God did for us when he died on the cross for our sins. We discussed what the Bible is, it's accuracy and it's purpose. God's word is like a love letter to us but not only that but it helps us in our every day walk. It teaches us how to handle situations, how to follow in the path of Christ and how to reach other people. I told them of my "gift" to Jesus and my plan to further their knowledge of Christ spiritually and practically, starting tonight.
The water in the soup bowl represents the world and the pepper represents the sin in the world. When we enter the world without Christ, (I stuck my dry, clean finger in the water), what happens? The pepper/sin sticks to us. (The pepper coated my finger) I wiped my finger off and got out the Dawn that represents God. I coated my finger with the Dawn and explained how when we become a believer, it isn't all we need in order to not get caught up in the sin of this world. We need to put on the "armor of God". (Ephesians 6:11-18) Once my finger was coated with the Dawn (God), I stuck my finger in the middle of the bowl of and the pepper (sin) immediately moved to the side. It is such an amazing depiction because the pepper moves away from it in a circle almost like the burst of "God's power" made it move. It's not enough to just pray and ask for forgiveness, we have to seek God through His Word everyday to help us prepare for whatever comes.
Then, I remembered this statement that forever changed my life: "If there's a Goliath in front of you, that means there's a David inside of you." ~Carlos A Rodriguez
I got really excited then. I found the saying and showed Jayden. No matter what your giants are: mean kids, school work you just don't quite get, adjusting to school. Just know, God may have allowed that giant to come into your life but only because there is a David inside you waiting for the chance to pick up those stones, swing that slingshot around your head and with a prayer of faith, fell that giant. YOU can can make that giant fall!
Wherever Jesus went, He caused division. He healed the sick and raised the dead but He also caused a ruckus. You may feel like when you walk in a room, everyone bolts to the other side of it but just remember that you are supposed to be separate. II Corinthians 2:17 "Therefore come out from among them, and be ye separate...". You aren't supposed to "fit in". You should be kind to everyone and not try to shove Christianity down people's throats but being different isn't a bad thing. Be a David. Pick up those stones and march towards that giant with your head held high and know that you have the best weapon of anyone, God lives within you. II Corinthians 6:16 "...God has said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people."
God is giving you this chance to show your faith and allow the David in you to be seen by those around you. It is up to you to take the first steps toward the river.
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