A month ago, my daughter and I began a weekly one-on-one Bible study. We are working our way through Elizabeth George’s book A Young Woman After God’s Own Heart. The conversations that have come out during our time together has far exceeded my expectations. I get to hear her share more of her tender heart, her struggles, what matters to her more than I have by just asking her to tell me about her day. Our time together gives me the opportunity to speak life into her, to encourage her, to pray over her and with her. My time with her account for some of the most precious minutes of my entire week.
Yesterday I was reminded that some girls don’t have a female at home who cares for them and invests time speaking life into them. One of my leaders came into my office, deeply burdened by something that a little girl in her small group asked this past Sunday. Her question: “What if your Mom says you’re worthless?”
The girl’s leader expressed to me how speechless she was. She (the leader) found it hard to believe that a child so young had ‘worthless’ as a part of her vocabulary. As only God could orchestrate, I was able to look my heartbroken leader in the face and remind her that this is why we minister each and every week. It’s more than just preparing and teaching a lesson. We are building relationships with children from broken homes; children who are struggling to know that they matter and have worth because God created them for a purpose.
We have the opportunity to speak life into people in our circle of influence. Whether we lead a staff, teams of volunteers, a small group of children at church or are parenting our own children, we have an opportunity to speak life.
What might that look like?
**Take time to listen – really listen. Listen with your ears and your heart.
**Remind them of their worth in Christ.
- He created them in a special way (Psalm 139:13-18).
- He delights in them (Zephaniah 3:7).
- He has a purpose for them (Jeremiah 29:11, Ephesians 2:10).
**Tell them how important they are to you – and do this regularly.
- What special traits/gifts/talents do they possess?
- What do they do well?
- How are you seeing God work in their life?
- What do they bring to the group? How would the group be different if they were not a part of it?
I am so thankful to serve in a church that places a high value on Children’s Ministry. I am thankful to serve alongside volunteers whose hearts break for hurting children. Children today need to hear positive messages from the adults in their lives. Our words have power. They need us to pray regularly for them and with them. They need us to speak life into them.
What child needs an encouraging word from you today? Ask God to reveal that to you and then act. Speak life!
