This week in Kidstuf it's all about "loving your enemy". Let's face it...when it comes to our kids somedays it's a win if you can get them to "love" anyone, not just their enemy. Our kids get in moods just like any of us can, and love can be a difficult verb to enact. Also, many of our kids don't exactly have enemies till around 4th/5th grade at the earliest (at least in my observation), but be assured they know what an enemy is. The shows they watch and books they read have plenty of enemies in them, or at least an antagonist of some kind.
This is one of those instances where you can be a proactive parent, not a reactive parent. You can proactively discuss how we should "love our enemies," and then when you have a difficult situation arise in your own life model how to "love your enemies."
This works! In fact, I'm a product of it. My father is/was very active in the community. He was a teacher/administrator in the schools for 35+ years, so let's just say he was a part of a few tense situations. When I was in high school and early college, I was a part of some really painful situations in several areas of my life. Dad and I would talk about the situation, and often he would tell me to love those people and move on. When he told me to love them, I never hesitated because I had seen his response in several of the tense situations he had been in. I can remember them vividly to this day.
Bottom Line...Because I chose to love them, I can still serve them today with integrity. Actually this next week, I get to serve them on the Middle School Mission Trip because it's in my hometown. And in August, I get to go back and serve them again with another situation. Don't get me wrong, it took many years to heal my heart, and I will never forget the pain. The difference is I don't have to live with the pain of the poor choices I made in that circumstance. I can't tell you how grateful I am for that!
This details for this week...
Scripture: Luke 6:27-36
Memory Verse: “Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God.” 1 John 4:7
Prayer for the Nations: Belgium
Jared Norris
Children's Minister
The Glade Church
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