Give Thanks: Learning to be grateful in all seasons.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (GW)… “Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Whatever happens, give thanks, because it is God’s will in Christ Jesus that you do this.”

Last Sunday, we celebrated our week-long session of Vacation Bible School. We sang all the songs we taught the kids, we watched a slide show of all the fun activities we did, we shared the Bible stories we discussed throughout the week, and we gave the children time to share and reflect on their experiences. Our closing song involved beach balls, and yes, we batted them around in the Sanctuary without breaking anything. The Spirit of God was hovering over us…

In the sermon time, I shared the importance of having “child-like” faith, which helps us develop a grateful heart. Jesus loved children, and He loved it when parents brought their children to meet and visit with Him. Some of His followers were annoyed that parents would interrupt the teaching sessions, but not Jesus. During one of those huddled-up teaching sessions, Jesus invited a little child to stand in the middle of the group… no pressure there!

The back story? Jesus’ disciples must have been discussing being “great” and who among them would be honored more in God’s new Kingdom that Jesus was establishing through His presence and teachings. I imagine if the conversation were happening today, the disciples would be arguing over how many followers they had accumulated on Facebook or who had the most likes on Instagram. Jesus was establishing a new kingdom with new rules and new values. (You can read the details of His kingdom agenda in His sermon recorded in Matthew 5, 6, 7)

Back to the huddle discussion group, and here is what Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, you must change and become like little children. Otherwise, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 The greatest person in the kingdom of heaven is the one who makes himself humble like this child. 5 “Whoever accepts a child in my name accepts me. 6 If one of these little children believes in me, and someone causes that child to sin, it would be better for that person to have a large stone tied around the neck and be drowned in the sea.” (Matthew 18:3-6, NCV)

Wow and Ouch! When we come to Jesus with child-like faith and humility, He welcomes us and reveals to us the blessings of His Kingdom. When we welcome children into our church family, Jesus promises to be there among us. Shame on us as followers of Jesus when we silence children or relegate them to the basement or the kids’ table. Worse yet, if we misguide them or lead them into a destructive lifestyle. I could go on and on, but this isn’t the post for that message!

As followers of Jesus, we are to be like children and not act childish toward one another when we struggle to get along. We are to approach our heavenly Father with humble and grateful hearts, and He will draw us close to Him. We are to welcome the children and those with childlike faith into our church families, allowing them the space and time to grow in their knowledge and love for Jesus. Childlike faith cultivates a thankful heart, which produces gratitude for a lifetime. So whatever happens, give thanks.