[Membersandfriends] Wednesday, September 15, 2004

Tue Sep 14 22:02:03 PDT 2004

The Upper Room Daily Devotional -- E-mail Edition
Brought to You by Upper Room Ministries
Wednesday, September 15, 2004

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VOLUNTEER ANGEL
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Mark 10:13-16 (NRSV)

People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them. But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, "Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it." And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them.

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Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these."  
- Mark 10:14 (NIV)
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THE school where I serve as a mentor gave me a lapel pin which reads, "A Volunteer Angel."  I spend time with young girls, tutoring them, teaching them good hygiene skills, playing board games, and sometimes just listening.  They come from different backgrounds, but all have one common need - encouragement.  They are happy to find that an adult really wants to spend time with them.

One of the girls I mentor is very shy and has low self-esteem.  She often asks me, "Why do you spend time with me?"  I tell her it's because she is an important person.  The smile on her face is the greatest reward a mentor can receive.

As I work with these children, I remember the Bible story about Jesus welcoming children.  How excited those children must have been to hear Jesus say, "Let them come."  By doing so Jesus showed them that they were important, and I suspect he also took the time to listen to them.  What the disciples saw as an inconvenience, Jesus understood as an opportunity for ministry.

In a similar way, each of us has opportunities to welcome and encourage those whom some might push away.  When we do so, we become part of shaping the future.

Prayer:  Dear God, thank you for the wonderful blessing of children.  Teach us to be good teachers and wise counselors to them.  In Jesus' name we pray.  Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Who needs the attention and encouragement I can give?

-- Connie Coppings (Kentucky, U.S.A.)

PRAYER FOCUS: Children and their mentors

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RELATED READING ...

In PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS AS SPIRITUAL GUIDES, author Betty Shannon Cloyd explores the simple ways parents and grandparents can introduce children to the presence of God and nurture them spiritually -- even through daily, routine activities. This must-have book includes biblical models of spiritual guides along with insightful stories from children, Christian educators, and the author's own family experience.
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/desc.asp?ep_id=30&item_id=12697

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The scripture quotation is from the NEW REVISED STANDARD VERSION of the Bible, copyright (c) 1989, by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A.  Used by permission.  All rights reserved.