Children Matter, Youth Matter

A couple of weekends ago I had the opportunity to fly up to Brisbane (via Newcastle; that's right- 3 states in 3 days!) to go to the Eastern Territory's Children/Youth Matter conference. It was a really good weekend on a few levels. I got to catch up with a lot of some old friends (a few who I wasn't expecting to see there, which was nice!), receive some great training for the ministry I'm involved in, and be inspired by some great teaching. Going to the conference got me thinking about the potential impact that God, through me, can have on children and young peoples lives.

I know a story of a girl, who is a first generation Salvo. Her family weren't church goers at the time (her mum has now accepted God as well, Praise Him!) But people in the church encouraged her to come along and made me feel welcomed when she was there. They showed Jesus love to her in a very real and practical way. During her teenage years, one particular family would take her home to their place every Sunday after church, feed her lunch, and she would hang out with their daughter until the night meeting. . They took an interest in her, and that's (along with Gods promptings!) is what kept her in the Army for so long. I wondered if without them doing this for her, would she still be in the Army today? I'm not sure hey...

Don't underestimate the potential impact you have in the lives of children and young people in your church, and in your communities. The smallest things make a big difference, particularly for kids from disadvantaged families. We have so many great opportunities to add soldiers to our Army, young soldiers, if we just go an extra mile for them. The fruits of our labour may not be apparent immediately. But did the family who took that girl in when she was a 14 year old non churched girl know the impact that that would have on the future direction of her life? They never would have known. But had they not have shown her love and care, she may not be where she is today, serving God with all her heart. That girl is me.

I thank God often for the way he showed me love through that family who took me under their wing while I was growing up. The church gave me the extended family I never really had. I now have people who are like second parents to me through going to church. I have a "grandma" figure that I never had growing up. They've just blessed me so much...

And now I consider how I can serve God faithfully, and have that same impact on children the way that a family, and a corps, impacted on my life. I wonder what little things I can do in kids lives to show them Gods love...... We all have a role to play in the lives of children in our communities. One thing I love about the real tribal communities in third world nations, and even indigenous communities in Australia is that all of the community is responsible for the upbringing of a child, not just the individual parents of that child. Can you imagine if it was like that in our community. If everyone took responsibility for raising the children in our communities... I wonder what that would look like?

It's the little things that make the difference.

For Him Alone
Ness :-)

P.S: A big hello to Nat McC! the self proclaimed biggest fan of my blog! lol :-)